National Park Service unveils markers

National Park Service unveils markers

National Park Service unveils markers
Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
June 12, 2007

Two centuries ago, African American freedom seekers plied the Pasquotank River to escape
slavery, making their way through the Great Dismal Swamp’s dense wetlands.

At a river front ceremony on June 11, the National Park Service (NPS) unveiled markers to help
visitors understand this chapter of American history and the waterway’s significance as a path to
freedom. The markers recognize the Pasquotank River and the Elizabeth City State University
(ECSU) Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk Project as an official part of the National Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom.

“Waterways and natural land features acted as both ‘abolitionist’ and ‘conductor’ for enslaved
African Americans,” said Barbara Tagger, Southeast Region Program Manager for the National
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and an NPS historian. “It was like a map. If they
knew how the waterways progressed, they would follow them north, and in some cases south,
to freedom”

Tagger, who helped Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County and Camden County officials dedicate
the markers today, said the Pasquotank River is the first river in the United States to be recognized
in the NPS Network to Freedom program.

“In this particular part of North Carolina, the Pasquotank River was integral to the Underground
Railroad because of the number of boats and ships that came to that area and made their way
north,” said Tagger.

The Pasquotank River and Great Dismal Swamp Part of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Pasquotank
River was once an important transportation link between the Albemarle Sound and the Chesapeake
Bay. During the 1800s, the river and Elizabeth City bustled with activity as ships, steamers and
boats disembarked from the waterfront to transport goods and people throughout the South.
Some freedom seekers stowed away on the vessels. Others were hired by boat owners and
gained transportation to points north where they sought independence as workmen. Upon
reaching Elizabeth City, a number of freedom seekers sought refuge in the Great Dismal Swamp,
an enormous track of forested wetlands that straddles the North Carolina/Virginia state line. Many
used the swamp as a stopping place, before continuing on their journey. Some even made a
home in the wilderness, living off the land and bartering with local farmers for food and supplies.

Hired slave labor dug the Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest manmade waterway in the country,
in 1793. The Pasquotank River, which forms the Elizabeth City waterfront, was given designation
on the Network to Freedom in 2004. The ECSU Great Dismal Swamp Boardwalk Project received
its designation in 2003. The half mile long boardwalk and observation tower provides access to
639 miles of wetlands wilderness area for use by ECSU in research and educational activities.
A third Elizabeth City area site, the Dismal Swamp State Park was designated in 2003 a marker
is planned for this site as well.

Freedom Seekers Itinerary and Museum of the Albemarle Displays As a result of the NPS Network
to Freedom designations, the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau plans to promote
the sites through the development of a new self guided

“Freedom Seekers” tour itinerary, that originates in Elizabeth City and guides visitors to neighboring
Network to Freedom sites in Edenton, Manteo, Creswell, Rich Square and Wilmington, N.C. June
1216, the public can learn more about the Underground Railroad through two displays exhibited at
the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

On loan from the NPS, a “Network to Freedom” display interprets the history, people and terms of
the Underground Railroad. Developed by ECSU, a “Math of the Great Dismal Swamp” display
focuses on the terrain and water quality of the Great Dismal Swamp. NASA’s Earth Science
Education Office/The MUSPIN Office of Goddard Flight Center and ECSU funded this display.
Located at 501 S. Water Street, the Museum of the Albemarle is open Tuesday through Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. The museum will be closed on Sunday, June
17. Admission is free. For additional information, contact the Elizabeth City Area Convention &
Visitors Bureau at (252) 335-5330.