News Release

Cape Lookout Selects 2023 Volunteer of the Year

Cape Lookout’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Dr. Stan Rule, poses on the porch of the Barden House (1907 Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters) with Cape Lookout Lighthouse in background.

NPS Photo / Sabrina Godin

News Release Date: February 5, 2024

Contact: Nate Toering, [phone]

HARKERS ISLAND, NC – Cape Lookout National Seashore is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Stan Rule as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year. Over the course of the last year, Dr. Rule was instrumental in researching and documenting cultural history tied to the Southern Outer Banks. He has opened doors into community homes and made a permanent record of historic content that is incredibly important to the park’s cultural history timeline.

In particular, Dr. Rule was responsible for in depth research on the history of cabin culture inside the park. Dr. Rule interviewed first-hand sources, scanned documents and family photographs, and recorded oral interviews. In addition to collecting this material, he organized it into a public-facing website that serves as a living document for his research.

That website is available at: http://www.cabinculturesobx.com/

On top of his research into cabin culture, he has also served as a consultant on a variety of historic topics. He assisted with verifying the accuracy of interpretive and educational material. He served as a reviewer on several interpretive panels for structures such as Casablanca and the Battle Brothers Hunt Club. His research, knowledge & experience have also proved invaluable through his feedback on the display panels currently in development for an update to our Harkers Island Visitor Center.

Finally, he directly assisted in ongoing park research by working closely with a cultural anthropology research intern. He shared relevant information he found during the course of his own research, and provided the intern with leads that might assist in her own research. He continues to work closely with the Interpretation & Education Division to review and provide historic feedback on all matters of historic relevance.

On top of his outstanding work in research, documentation and consulting, Dr. Rule has also done a fantastic job of sharing his information with the public. In addition to his publicly accessible website, he has also presented his research at public gatherings on several occasions. Dr. Rule’s passion for Cape Lookout’s history, and his willingness to collect it and accurately present it to the public make him stand out amongst his peers.

Dr. Rule’s exceptional research and commitment to Cape Lookout National Seashore make him most deserving of the title, “Volunteer of the Year.