Ready for an Outer Banks Weekend, 2/3/2023
Feb 04, 2023
Black History Month Edition
As February was getting closer I thought it would be interesting to list local places of significance for Black History. This is a list I personally selected and, if available, added web links to provide you a starting point.
First, there is an organization promoting Black heritage that has compiled locations with historical importance. The web link is below but as of today there seems to be a glitch. Interested people should check back often to see when it's fixed because I think it's a valuable site for information. https://ncblackheritagetour.com/
In the mean time you can get a taste of what they do on Facebook.
Pea Island Cook House
Located in Manteo, this facility is small, yet loaded with history of the only All-Black Lifesaving Station on the Outer Banks.
In addition, from February 3 to February 25, there will be an exhibit at the Dare Arts Vault Gallery to recognize and celebrate the famous Pea Island Lifesavers.
Richard Etheridge
At the Roanoke Island Aquarium you'll notice a small grave site just outside the entrance where The Pea Island Lifesaver's first Black leader, Richard Etheridge, is buried.
Another famous Black Lifesaver, William C. Bowser, is buried adjacent to the Sarah Owens Welcome Center in Manteo.
If you're driving through Currituck County you can stop at the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Museum which describes how children lived and were educated in a rural, segregated community.
Behind the school you'll find the Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery. There you can visit the grave of Capt. Benjamin Bowser who succeeded Richard Etheridge as leader of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station.
Freedmen's Colony
Although the Colony only lasted a few years and was far from being successful, the significance of being the second safe haven in the South shouldn't be forgotten.
Island Farm
The museum's mission is mostly the story of a rural, colonial farm but the visitor's center does acknowledge the presence and work of slave labor.
Hotel De' Afrique
Unfortunately, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is closed for renovations, but you can still visit the outdoor monument for the Hotel De' Afrique, the first safe haven for African-Americans during the Civil War.
Norris Baum Cemetery
Very difficult to find, this family plot is located in the Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest. Its highlight is a grave for David Baum (see photo) who was a former slave like his mother.
Once again I'd like to mention that David Cecelski's book, The Waterman's Song (Small print: Should you use this link to purchase anything I may receive a small commission.), is a great resource for history of Eastern North Carolina. Something of interest from his book is the fact that most of the canals around here were dug by slave labor which was considered one of the hardest and most dangerous jobs a person could perform.
Currituck Jack
Briefly mentioned in The Waterman's Song, Currituck Jack is part legend because nobody knows what his real name was. They know he was a local hero who was an expert mariner. I look forward to seeing his statue upon completion.
I hope you enjoy this list for your own research and education. Know that this merely scratches the surface and wouldn't require much effort to expand the focus to other parts of this region to find more history. Below is a list of such places.
Edenton, NC
Washington, NC
Elizabeth City, NC
Camden, NC
The Great Dismal Swamp
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