Dedication of Pea Island All-black Lifesaving Station Museum set for Memorial Day.

Thanks to the efforts of the East Coast Pathway to Freedom Coalition, its partners, and the Town of Manteo, NC, the history of this historic Life Saving Station and its heroic crewmen is being preserved for future generations. The public will be able to walk through the beautifully restored original cookhouse as well as a detailed replica of the main living quarters of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station.

The Pea Island African American Heritage Center and Memorial Gardens at Collins Park will stand as a constant memorial to these courageous men who triumphed over unbeatable odds. The cookhouse has been restored and will be used as a museum displaying memorabilia, artifacts, relics, and pictures depicting life in the Life Saving Service.

The living quarters will be reconstructed later, and will be used as a community center. It will include a research and reading room where visitors can research their genealogy or African American history. The center will also host cultural programs for the community and visitors including African American artists, authors, dance troops, and musical groups. Inside the center will be a pictoral history of the African American community on the Outer Banks, showcasing the many African Americans who have contributed greatly to the economic, cultural, and social growth of the Outer Banks.

Surrounding these buildings will be the Dellerva Collins Memorial Gardens. The gardens will be a living tribute to this gracious African American woman who sat on the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Manteo for more than 26 years, and who envisioned this historic museum and park.

.Tom Lewis, author of Sunday's Child, will be a guest-in-attendance, and will be signing copies of his novel,Sunday's Child, which is set at the original location of the Station and Cookhouse. Sunday's Child is the riveting story of the fictional Sunday Everette, who as a baby was left to be raised by the male crew of the lifesaving station.

A portion of his royalties from the book have been pledged to the organization.
More information can be found at www.tomelewis.com