Mattamuskeet Lodge

North Carolina’s largest natural lake, the three-story structure was completed in 1916, as the largest pumping plant in the world at that time.

Mattamuskeet Lodge is the embodiment of several generations of American dreams. Situated on the south shore of Lake Mattamuskeet.  Designed to drain the lake so that the rich lakebed could be farmed, it pulled 1.2 million gallons of water per minute out of the lake. Three different attempts to drain the lake proved costly and the project was eventually abandoned, leaving the streets of the village of New Holland and the homes, hotel and other structures that had been built soon filled with water.

In 1934, the U. S. Government bought the lake and created what is now known as Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. Company 424 of the Civilian Conservation Corps converted the building into Mattamuskeet Lodge, a premier hunting destination, which opened in 1937. Following a decrease in the waterfowl population, the Lodge closed in 1974. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. With the help of the Partnership for the Sounds and others, it reopened in 1995 but safety concerns led to its closure again in 2000.

In 2006, legislation was signed by the Federal Government giving the Lodge to the State of North Carolina. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission, along with the NC Department of Cultural Resources has been designated as the agencies to oversee the repairs and renovations, which are expected to be completed in late 2010.

In the meanwhile, visitors still come to learn about this piece of Americana. The grounds are open to the public with picnic tables and benches nearby. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound on Lake Mattamuskeet and there is an abundance of wildlife, including tundra swan, Canada and snow geese, and over 200 species of ducks that make their winter home here. Many eco-learning opportunities exist in the immediate area.

The Refuge Office is open from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Group tours can be arranged with advance notice by calling the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce at the above number.

Mattamuskeet Lodge is one of the many sites on the Historic Albemarle Tour, North Carolina's oldest self-guided heritage trail.