“Africa to Carolina” public art project to debut at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
WINNABOW, NC (WWAY) — A new public art installation recognizing the history of African disembarkation along North Carolina’s coast will be unveiled next month at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
The N.C. African American Heritage Commission (NCAAHC), Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation announced the dedication of the “Africa to Carolina Inclusive Public Art Initiative,” which will be formally unveiled during a public ceremony on Thursday, July 16 at 10 a.m.
Officials say the installation is the first public artwork in North Carolina created specifically to commemorate sites where enslaved Africans arrived along the state’s coastline.
The initiative originated from a charge by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to identify and memorialize locations tied to the transatlantic slave trade and the forced arrival of enslaved Africans in what is now North Carolina.
Historical records cited by the project note that enslaved Africans were brought to coastal ports including Bath, Beaufort, Brunswick, Edenton, New Bern, and Wilmington beginning in the early 16th century. Organizers say those individuals endured “unimaginable hardships yet played a crucial role in building North Carolina’s settlements and shaping its culture, economy, and community bonds.”
The project was developed through a community-engaged process led by the NCAAHC, with support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s Inclusive Art Grant. Artists David Wilson and Stephen Hayes created the installation with input from community stakeholders and descendant communities.
Officials describe the initiative as a collaborative effort to elevate a history they say has often been overlooked while honoring the resilience and contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendants in North Carolina.
The unveiling ceremony will include speakers and presenters, followed by the dedication of the artwork. Attendance is free, but registration is recommended due to limited seating. Organizers note that the event will be held outdoors, and attendees are encouraged to bring folding or camping chairs for additional seating.
The N.C. African American Heritage Commission, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, works to preserve and promote African American history, art, and culture across the state. Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is part of North Carolina’s Historic Sites system and is located along the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County.
More information about the event and registration is available through the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
