The Ocracoke Preservation Society (OPS) finished the final inspection of the 1901 Island Inn on October 1, 2026, clearing the structure for public use after a $2 million investment that included private donations, grants and community fundraising.
Built in 1901 by Charlie Scarborough for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the wooden edifice once housed a lodge on its upper floor and a public school below. It later morphed into a coffee shop, restaurant and hotel under the name Island Inn, until the OPS seized it in May 2018 to halt a likely demolition.
The restoration team removed decades of unsanctioned additions that had eroded the original façade, a task complicated by the September 2019 Hurricane Dorian’s flooding and a pandemic‑related pause in 2020. OPS board chair Jane Doe told The Ocracoke Observer, "We had to fight to keep this island’s soul alive."
In May 2021, workers lifted the historic structure to install a new elevated foundation, positioning its floor nine feet above sea level to meet the post‑Dorian flood‑elevation ordinance. The pilings were reinforced and the timber framework strengthened, ensuring the building withstands future storm surges.
The Commons will feature landscaped gardens, public restrooms, and a visitor center managed by a nonprofit established by OPS. A ribbon‑cutting ceremony, potluck and the society’s fall membership meeting are slated for November 10, 2026, drawing residents and tourists alike.
Following the opening, OPS plans a schedule of cultural programs, educational workshops and community meetings that will turn the former inn into a living heritage hub. The next phase will see the venue open to the public on November 10, 2026, with the first event set for the evening of a local author’s talk.