Outer Banks History Center

Outer Banks History Center The Outer Banks History Center is a regional archival facility in Manteo, NC. Representatives of North Carolina state government communicate via this Web site.

Consequently any communication via this site (whether by a state employee or the ​general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties.

06/19/2026

Happy North Carolina

On June 19, 1865, freedom finally reached Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the resilience, courage, and enduring contributions of generations of Black Americans who fought for their freedom and helped shape our communities, culture, and country.

Juneteenth is not only a celebration of liberation, but a reminder of the ongoing journey toward justice and equality. In North Carolina, we can use Juneteenth to explore how liberation and emancipation unfolded in our local communities and reflect on the legacies that continue to guide us today.

At DNCR, the NC African American Heritage Commission and our museums, historic sites, and archives work every day to preserve and share the full story of African American history in North Carolina through research, education, and community engagement.

As we honor this day, we invite all North Carolinians to learn, reflect, and connect with these stories, and to join in celebrating the ongoing pursuit of freedom and community.

For this week's we are sharing a photograph ca 1978 of Lost Colony cast members celebrating the drama's 2,000th perfo...
06/19/2026

For this week's we are sharing a photograph ca 1978 of Lost Colony cast members celebrating the drama's 2,000th performance!

ORG.5271. Lost Colony 2,000 Performance - 06 /1978, Dare County Tourist Bureau OBHC

Introducing our 2026 David Stick intern, Zoe Maready!A Tyrrell County native, Zoe has spent the last four years in Chape...
06/18/2026

Introducing our 2026 David Stick intern, Zoe Maready!

A Tyrrell County native, Zoe has spent the last four years in Chapel Hill, earning a bachelor's in American History and completing her first year in the Master of Library Sciences program concentrating in Archives and Record Management. If Zoe looks familiar, it may be because she spent the summer of 2024 volunteering with us. We are so excited to welcome her back for the next 8 weeks - stop in to say hello or keep an eye out for Zoe at our upcoming outreach events!

06/18/2026

of Hotel De' Afrique? After the first Union victory in the Civil War in North Carolina, the Battle of Hatteras Inlet, enslaved African Americans escaped to the Union controlled Hatteras Island, seeking freedom.

By February 15, 1862, more than 40 freedom-seeking families lived on the island. A barrack was given as lodging for the families and was soon named Hotel De' Afrique. After a storm destroyed the original barrack, about 12 new barracks were built to accommodate the influx of freedom-seekers. On the island, African Americans built community and labored as watermen, horsemen and often served in the Union army.

Hotel De' Afrique is considered the first safe place for people escaping slavery in North Carolina during the Civil War and is officially recognized as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Learn more about histories like Hotel De' Afrique in our Juneteenth toolkit by clicking the link in the bio.

Image: AV. 5000. "Hotel De' Afrique" Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.

06/17/2026

Between Juneteenth and July 4th, the new tradition of Civic Season takes place. Civic Season encourages people across the country to learn and engage in the history of civic life. Our America 250 team has composed a series of blog posts discussing voting rights at certain points in N.C. history. Today, we look at the 1901 Amendment, which required N.C. votes to pass a literary test and pay a poll tax. Check out the link to the blog in our comments to learn more.

Image: G. Ellis Harris, North Carolina Constitutional Reader, Being a Handbook for Primary Use in One Part, Raleigh: Printing Office, St. Augustine’s School, 1903, VC.25, State Archives of N.C. Harris dedicated the book “To the many thousands of colored men in North Carolina who are unable to read and write and especially to the youth of the state.”

06/16/2026

Free people of color lived, worked, and witnessed history in North Carolina prior and during the Revolutionary War. Through various documents, we can learn about these people and have a greater understanding of what country was like then. Check out the link in the comments for the YouTube video.

Have you ever wondered what Ocracoke looked like in the 1940s?! Check out this aerial from the Aycock Brown Papers to fi...
06/16/2026

Have you ever wondered what Ocracoke looked like in the 1940s?! Check out this aerial from the Aycock Brown Papers to find out!

PC.5127 - Ocracoke, 1940s - Aycock Brown Papers, OBHC

Reminder! Join us this Friday, June 19th, for our speaker series event with author Andrew Lawler!
06/15/2026

Reminder! Join us this Friday, June 19th, for our speaker series event with author Andrew Lawler!

06/12/2026

Dreaming of a career where you can help preserve, protect, and promote North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures? DNCR has several opportunities open now!

This week’s featured positions:

🔹State Records Center Supervisor – State Records Center, Archives and Records (State Archives of North Carolina)📍 Wake Co. – Closes June 17

🔹Biodiversity Lab Manager – North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences📍Wake Co. – Closes June 18

🔹Manager of Teen and College Programs – North Carolina Museum of Art📍Wake Co. – Closes June 18

🔹Outreach Librarian – Library of North Carolina📍Wake Co.– Closes June 19

🔹Archivist Supervisor – Outer Banks History Center, Archives and Records📍Dare Co. – Closes July 1

🔗 View and apply for these roles at the link in the comments below. ⬇️

Join our team and help shape North Carolina’s story for generations to come!

Please note: Positions may close before you see this post, but they remain open until their stated deadline.

This month marks the 51st anniversary of Jockey's Ridge State Park, so we thought It was only fitting to share of photog...
06/12/2026

This month marks the 51st anniversary of Jockey's Ridge State Park, so we thought It was only fitting to share of photograph of the dunes for this week's . Jockey's Ridge was established as a North Carolina State Park in 1975, and has the distinction of being home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast!

AV.5191.071 - Jockeys Ridge - J F Scott Photo Collection, OBHC

Address

1 Festival Park Blvd/PO Box 250
Manteo, NC
27954

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2pm
Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Wednesday 9am - 2pm
Thursday 9am - 2pm
Friday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+2524235240

Website

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