Explore Currituck's African-American History Trail: A Local Journey Through Black Heritage

Currituck County and Corolla are marking Black History Month with the African-American History Trail. This trail is part of the African American Experience of Northeast North Carolina, a project spanning six counties with over 30 monuments, parks, waterways, and museums. Visitors can take a self-guided driving tour of these sites, many of which are free and open year-round.

Jarvisburg in Currituck County hosts three stops on the trail. These are Captain Benjamin J. Bowser’s Gravesite, the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, and the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School. Captain Bowser, who lived from 1854 to 1900, ran the Pea Island Lifesaving Station and helped sailors on the Outer Banks coast. His life is documented in the film, Rescue Men – The story of the Pea Island Surfmen.

The Corinth Missionary Baptist Church is a notable site in Currituck and has one of the county's oldest active congregations. The Historic Jarvisburg Colored School, a registered historic place, is a restored school building that now serves as a museum. The museum displays African-American life and education in the Currituck area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Historic Jarvisburg Colored School will be open until February 2024, but will close for renovations on March 1, 2024. The African American Experience of Northeast North Carolina also features sites in Camden, Chowan, Dare, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties. This allows visitors to learn about the African American history of the region.

Visitors can find all the sites on this driving tour at NCBlackHeritageTour.com, and get updates on opening hours on Facebook and Instagram. A recently updated Visitors Guide is also available for download or sign up, providing all the necessary information for a visit to the Currituck Outer Banks.

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