Historic Sites
Explore Island Farm, a living history site interpreting daily life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s. Living on the bounty of the surrounding waters while working the land to feed their families, islanders were independent and enterprising. The Etheridge family of today’s Island Farm goes back all the way to 1757, working the land and […]
In honor of former Lieutenant Herbert Collins, the boathouse was opened and dedicated in his name in October 2010. Born in 1921 on Roanoke Island, Lieutenant Collins is often referred to as the last Keeper of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station. His career at the station spanned from 1940 – 1947 but he remained in
Herbert Collins Boathouse at Collins Park Read More »
On the heels of the Union’s first military victory of the Civil War at Fort Hatteras in August 1861, Northern forces took Roanoke Island in 1862 in another of the earliest Union military victories over the Confederates. Escaped slaves seeking the army’s protection began pouring onto the island. In response, the army seized local property
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site | Freedman’s Colony 1862 -1867 Read More »
A rectangular stone marker sits atop a concrete base. It has a pointed top and is engraved with text on two sides with the inscription “IN MEMORY OF THE COLORED UNION SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE WAR OF 1861-1865.” The marker is accompanied by a North Carolina Civil War Trails marker and informational placard. Informational
Colored Union Soldiers Monument Read More »
The Historic Jarvisburg Colored School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, honoring the importance of the school to black ethnic heritage, celebrating its architectural features and standing out as a rare example of a pre-Rosenwald African American school in Currituck County, NC. Founded in 1867 with a land grant from a freed
Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Read More »
In 1866, one year after the abolishment of slavery, the Reverend Z.H. Berry, E.M. Boone and a few other residents of lower Currituck County organized a congregation of the church. Having just received their freedom, all this group had was their pride and love of God. A piece of land was donated by William S.
Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Read More »
The Pea Island Lifesaving Station, known as “Station 17,” was manned by an all-African American crew. Originally under the leadership of Captain Richard Etheridge, these brave African American men rescued stranded sailors in the perilous and turbulent waters along the North Carolina coast. The station was manned by Louis Wescott, William Irving, George Pruden, Maxie
Captain Benjamin J. Bowser Gravesite Read More »
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E. Zion) has a rich history with African Americans and its roots can be traced back to 1796. The A.M.E. Zion church was known as the “freedom church” due to the efforts of helping slaves escape from their masters. Celebrated black leaders, such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and
Parksville AME Zion Church Read More »
The mysteriously and formidably named Great Dismal Swamp straddles the North Carolina-Virginia border only a few miles inland from the Atlantic coast. This vast wetland or peat swamp originally covered about 1.28 million acres, stretching from the James River in VA to the Albemarle Sound in NC. The Great Dismal Swamp was a thriving refuge
Dismal Swamp State Park Read More »
Proposed as early as 1730 by Col. William Byrd II, the Dismal Swamp Canal is the oldest operating artificial waterway in the United States, extending 22 miles with a lock on each end. Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, this historic inland route connects the Albemarle Sound in NC to the Chesapeake Bay in VA.
Dismal Swamp Canal Read More »