Susie Carson Research RoomSouthport Historical Society
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Historian · Collector · Founder

Susie Carson: The Historian Behind the Room

Susie Carson’s files, photographs, publications, and weekly columns became a foundation for preserving Southport’s history—and for the Research Room that now bears her name.

Southport Historical Society volunteers · Reviewed September 16, 2026
Southport Historical Society first Fourth of July Exhibition with Bill Reaves, Annie May Woodside. Gene Tomlinson, Susie Carson and Paula Schmidt (1978)
Southport Historical Society first Fourth of July Exhibition with Bill Reaves, Annie May Woodside. Gene Tomlinson, Susie Carson and Paula Schmidt (1978) · View record
Why the room bears her name

We named the Research Room in her honor

Susie Carson was one of Southport’s most respected historians and a founder of the Southport Historical Society. Much of what visitors search today began with the subject files, photographs, publications, and lesson plans she gathered to capture Southport’s history “A to Z.”

Southport Historical Society first Fourth of July Exhibition with Bill Reaves, Annie May Woodside. Gene Tomlinson, Susie Carson and Paula Schmidt (1978)
Southport Historical Society first Fourth of July Exhibition with Bill Reaves, Annie May Woodside. Gene Tomlinson, Susie Carson and Paula Schmidt (1978) · View record
History made public

The Society’s first Fourth of July exhibition

In 1978, Susie Carson joined Bill Reaves, Annie May Woodside, Gene Tomlinson, and Paula Schmidt for our first Fourth of July exhibition. This photograph captures the Society’s early work becoming a community event.

Swain, Pauline, Woodside, Annie May, Bill Reaves, Susie Carson and others (7/4/1978)
Swain, Pauline, Woodside, Annie May, Bill Reaves, Susie Carson and others (7/4/1978) · View record
450-plus columns

A “Bit of History,” every week

From 1999 to 2007, Carson wrote a weekly “Bit of History” column for the Brunswick County edition of the StarNews. We preserve more than 450 columns about churches, food, schools, storms, war, landmarks, local communities, and everyday life.

Her books

Joshua’s Dream

The Story of Old Southport—A Town with Two Names, a history of Smithville and Southport.

Lelia Jane, A Very Gentle Lady

Created with Larry Maisel, it grew from a family memoir into a history of town life between 1922 and 1972.

Joshua’s Legacy

Edited with Jon C. Lewis, this volume compiled stories about the people who built the town now known as Southport.

Hear and trace the work

Hear her voice and trace her work

An oral-history interview, a Fort Johnston speech, and coverage of the Research Room’s dedication connect Carson’s own voice to the institution that now preserves her work.