Green Drinks OBX

The Oyster Wars: How a Humble Shellfish Became a Source of Wealth, Power, and Bloodshed

Green Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for people who care about our coast. Whether you enjoy boating, beach days, or simply want to keep our waters clean and our communities strong, this is a relaxed space to connect with others, hear from local voices, and stay up to date on important coastal topics. Each month, we’ll highlight a different issue like salt marsh restoration, oysters, or local happenings that impact the coast, and talk about how we can work together to protect the places we all enjoy. Grab a drink from the bar and join the conversation!

These events are free and open to the public.

October’s Speaker

Shea LaFountaine | Creator of the History Fix Podcast

Oysters have been part of the Outer Banks story for centuries as a food source, an economic powerhouse, and, surprisingly, a source of conflict. At this month’s Green Drinks, Shea LaFountaine will explore that history through her talk, The Oyster Wars: How a Humble Shellfish Became a Source of Wealth, Power, and Bloodshed.

Shea will take us from the Roanoke colonies of the 1580s, where oysters played a bigger role than many people realize, to the “Oyster Wars” of the late 1800s, when northern dredgers threatened local oyster beds and Outer Banks residents fought back. Along the way, she’ll explore the surprising social history of a humble mollusk and the ways oysters shaped the people, communities, and conflicts of our coast.

Come learn how oysters became a source of wealth, power, and bloodshed through these stories that reveal a timeless connection between coastal communities, natural resources, and the fight to protect them.

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