Museum to Honor African Americans in Civil War

HATTERAS – Significant black history events in North Carolina will soon get a permanent marker on Hatteras Island as part of the upcoming Flags Over Hatteras Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration held by the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.

During the event, Aug. 22 – 28, the Flags Over Hatteras committee plans to unveil a large black granite monument in honor of the first safe haven for runaway slaves in the state, and also in honor of some of the first African Americans to fire against Confederate forces.

“The capture of forts at Hatteras Inlet in August 1861 was the first notable Union victory of the war,” said Committee Chairman Drew Pullen. “News that Hatteras was controlled by Federal forces prompted many slaves to escape from the mainland and seek safe haven on Hatteras Island. Federal forces arranged for construction of 'Hotel De Afrique' to shelter the runaway slaves.”

Flags Over Hatteras features keynote speakers: authors James McPherson and Craig Symonds, and former National Park Service Chief Historian Ed Bearss. Additionally, the event offers:

• Major exhibits – Aug. 22-28 – Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

• Blue-Gray Descendants Reunion – Aug. 22-24 – Hatteras Village Civic Center

• Flags over Hatteras Conference – Aug. 25-27 – Hatteras Village Civic Center

• Exhibits and living history demonstrations – Aug. 27-28 – Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

On Friday, Aug. 26, guest speaker Hari Jones, curator for the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C., will offer a presentation on African American spy-networking during the war.

Space is limited for the conference and registration is required. Tickets are $175 per person, with 30 spaces being reserved for students at $75 per student. The fee includes: light refreshments, daily speakers, three evening events, three dinners and all exhibits. For more information or to register, go to www.flagsoverhatteras.com.