Prior Engagement Saves Some Costumes From Manteo Fire

Raleigh, N.C. — Several costumes used in the play "The Lost Colony" were spared from a recent Dare County fire because they were in a museum exhibit in Raleigh.

Officials said 80 percent of the costumes used in the play were destroyed Monday after a fire at the Irene Rains Costume Shop in Manteo. The other costumes used in the play were either being dry-cleaned or being used for the "Mysteries of the Lost Colony" exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History.

The exhibit , which opens Oct. 20, will feature nine costumes and some of the set pieces, including the original sword used by Andy Griffith when he played Sir Walter Raleigh in the play.

"To be able to help salvage a few pieces of history is very important to us, particularly us as historians and curators," said museum curator Jeanne Marie Warzeski.

Museum officials said they are considering some way to pay tribute to historic costumes lost in the fire.