Sitting at the edge of the Earth, along the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, lies the historic village of Corolla. Nestled among shifting coastal dunes, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse has warned sailors since 1875 with its distinctive red flash. For those who failed to heed its warning, the Corolla Ocean Rescue crews stood ready to save them. Because the lighthouse stood on the mainland rather than a remote island, families lived alongside both the lighthouse keepers and the surfmen who carried out these rescues. Corolla became home to generations of families, whose children attended a one-room schoolhouse until it closed in 1959 due to declining enrollment. Afterward, families were forced to either move away or travel long distances to access education.
That changed in 2012, when modern-day lighthouse keeper Meghan Agresto and Corolla Ocean Rescue leader Sylvia Wolff reopened the historic one-room schoolhouse. Through their shared dedication, deep friendship, and commitment to honoring the past, Wolff and Agresto have brought new life, laughter, and a sense of community back to Corolla. This is their story.
