Library to present ‘Roanoke’s Forgotten Colony: The Freedmen’s Colony of 1863-1867’

Freedmen's Colony Monument - Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. [Courtesy Dare County Library]

Centuries after the lost colony, Roanoke Island became home to a new colony, a Freedmen’s Colony, which was established by the army to prepare the formerly enslaved people for life after the war.

In February of 1862, the Battle of Roanoke Island left the Outer Banks under Union control, which made Roanoke Island a safe haven, a place of refuge for those who sought the protection of the Union Army. Although some freedom seekers continued their journey northward, many of the refugees remained on the island in the Freemen’s Colony that lasted until 1867.

Join educational ranger Josh Nelson on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon to learn more about the Freedmen’s Colony, as part of the Dare County Library Adult Speakers Series. The event is being held simultaneously at the Kill Devil Hills Library Meeting Room and online via Zoom.

Registration is required to attend this free programming event as in-person space is limited. You can register for the Zoom option up to 1 hour before the event.

Register by clicking here.

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