The region also has a strong literary history. The insects, snakes and treacherous landscape that inspired its name, made it a haven for fugitive slaves seeking their freedom. The swamp was part of a maritime section of the Underground Railroad that existed in tidewater North Carolina between 1800 and the Civil War. George Washington called it “a glorious paradise.” But for the runaway slaves that sought refuge there, life was difficult. Now part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, it connects Chesapeake, Va., to South Mills, N.C.
Opened in 1805, the 22-mile canal was dug almost entirely by enslaved people over the course of 12 years.
In the Dismal Swamp State Park, bike or hike more than 20 miles of trails - including 2,000 feet of boardwalk - that wind through the swamp, or paddle on the Dismal Swamp Canal. The Dismal Swamp Canal took about 12 years to build. Division of Parks and Recreation manages a portion of the swamp as a state park, while the majority is a National Wildlife Refuge, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. The Great Dismal Swamp, shared by Gates, Pasquotank and Camden counties, stretches into Virginia. SWAMP AS SANCTUARYīegin the journey at the top of the state. This summer, pack a few lunches, gather the family and hop in the vehicle for an adventure that will take you to some beautiful places, and leave you more knowledgeable about African-American heritage in coastal North Carolina. These locations reflect the ups, the downs, the work and the culture of African-American communities during and after slavery. Eastern North Carolina has many sites that reflect the richness of African-American life over the years, and places that always deserve attention, not just during February’s celebrations of black history. North Carolina’s coastal region is not just a destination for fishing, bird watching and enjoying sunny beaches. She is a senior majoring in English at North Carolina State University.
Cynthia Sharpe is a communications intern with North Carolina Sea Grant.
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