Roanoke Island Festival Park Celebrates Black History on the Outer Banks
Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo is hosting a celebration of African American history on the Outer Banks, in honor of Black History Month in February.
Bravery, innovation, and perseverance are just a few of the words that come to mind when we reflect on black history in America. The month of February gives us an opportunity to honor the rich contributions of African Americans in our nation’s history, despite the weight of social injustice. America’s history is forever impacted by African American activists, scientists, inventors, artists, educators and leaders. Roanoke Island’s history is no different.
This month, Roanoke Island Festival Park will celebrate Black History with a weekly video series, Black History on Roanoke Island.
Each week, local historians will discuss significant figures and events that happened on the Outer Banks.
The series will feature key crew members at the Life-Saving Station on Pea Island, information on Freedmen’s Colony and the Champney drawings.
Be sure to follow the official Festival Park Facebook page to view a new video each week throughout the month of February.
You can watch the first video in the Black History on Roanoke Island series, on Coast Guard hero Lt. Herbert Collins, below.
Series Topics:
Lt. Herbert Collins
Coast Guard hero and member of the all-African American crew at the Pea Island Livesaving Station.
Captain Richard Etheridge
The nation’s first African American commanding officer in the United States Coast Guard.
Freedmen’s Colony
A freed, refuge colony on Roanoke Island during the Civil War.
Champney Drawings
Drawings by artist, , detailed the thriving community and events at Freedmen’s Colony.
_______________________________
