Our national parks were created to protect the important places and stories that have shaped our nation.
Here in the Outer Banks, you are likely familiar with the places our national parks protect — but there may be stories from those places that you haven't heard yet.
In honor of Black History Month, we're sharing a few of those lesser known stories from each of our Outer Banks national parks: stories of resilience, courage, and hope that shaped this community we all love.
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When we first launched Outer Banks Forever, I had the chance to sit down with Virginia Tillett, a beloved community leader and descendant of the families of the Freedman's Colony on Roanoke Island. At her home in Manteo, she shared with me in her own words what the story of the Freedman's Colony meant to her and her passion for ensuring future generations know about their roots here in the Outer Banks.
Our community mourned the loss of Virginia Tillett last year, but it continues to honor her legacy of education and community service. This past November, our County officials voted to rename the Dare County Center in Manteo the Virginia Tillett Center. I hope that in sharing the stories below, we can also play a part in continuing Virginia's legacy here in our community.
See you in our parks,
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The Freedmen's Colony on Roanoke Island:
A Testament to Hope and Resilience
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The Freedmen's Colony was established by the Union army on Roanoke Island in May 1863. It was a safe haven for the men, women and children who had been enslaved before and during the Civil War. The freedmen were given plots of land and a community began to take shape: houses, churches, schools and sawmills were built. The residents of the Freedmen's Colony were taught how to read and write by revisiting Bible stories that had been passed down through oral history.
The colony flourished and by 1865 it had a population of more than 3,000 people. Read on to learn why this story is so important for us to honor and reflect on.
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Listen to Ranger Rebekah tell the story of the Freedmen's Colony on Roanoke Island.
Please note: Due to a YouTube quirk, you may have to back the video up a couple of minutes!
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Daring Greatly:
Stories that Shaped Hatteras Island
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When you think of the history of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you might envision shipwrecks, surf fishing, or even the beginnings of surf culture. But did you know that the Seashore was home to the first safe haven in North Carolina for African Americans who had escaped from slavery, and the first all African American life saving service in the nation?
The stories of the Hotel D'Afrique and the Pea Island Life Saving Service — under the command of Captain Richard C. Etheridge — show us the value of perseverance in the face of impossible odds.
Read on to learn more about these two unique stories that shaped Hatteras Island.
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Our friends at CurrentTV created a short film about Captain Richard C. Etheridge and the Pea Island Surfmen.
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Paul Laurence Dunbar:
Poet, author, and friend of the Wright brothers
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Paul Laurence Dunbar, an internationally acclaimed poet and author, was the first African American writer to support himself financially through his writing. Before he became well known, he was the only African American student in his class at Ohio Central High School in Dayton, Ohio — a class that also happened to include a young Orville Wright.
Dunbar and the Wright brothers struck up a friendship that included helping each other with class assignments and even publishing their own community newspapers.
Though his career was tragically cut short by illness, Dunbar's legacy has shaped history and American literature. Click here to read a selection of Dunbar's poems.
Read on to learn more about this friendship and Dunbar's literary success.
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Local Event Spotlight:
Freedmen. Surfmen. Heroes.
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This family-friendly live program is included with the regular price of admission and will be held in Neptune's Theater in the aquarium.
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Outer Banks Forever is the
official nonprofit partner of our Outer Banks national parks, helping to protect and enhance these special places.
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