New Brochures feature the Dismal Swamp & Camden County’s African American History

We’re excited to share two new publications featuring the Dismal Swamp and Camden County’s African American History!

The historic Dismal Swamp Canal is prominently featured visually in the new National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program’s brochure.  “Waterways served as primary routes to freedom for runaways while the Great Dismal Swamp provided refuge for enslave African Americans.  Today the Great Dismal Swamp Canal offers opportunities for remembrance, reflection and recreation.”  The Dismal Swamp State Park, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, Dismal Swamp Canal and Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge are NPS NTF UGRR designated sites.   “Find Your Network to Freedom Site” maps and Passport Stamps are available at each respective site for this program.   Interpretive panels assist in telling these stories at the Dismal Swamp State Park, Camden County Heritage Museum in Camden and GDS National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.

Camden County Tourism Development Authority continues to enhance our visitor’s experience with a new African American Heritage brochure.  Moses Grandy was born into slavery in Camden County in 1786, and became known as Captain Grandy, a highly skilled and sought after waterman.  He attempted to purchase freedom, but was unfortunately cheated three times by those who sought to capitalize on his skills. He was finally allowed to live as a free man in 1827. He sailed to England and later collaborated to pen his life story in the Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy; Late a Slave in the United States.  Proceeds from this publication assisted him in liberating several enslaved relatives. This story, as well as others can be viewed in the new heritage brochure, featuring artwork by artist Tunde Afolayan Famous, from his Underground Railroad Series.

Learn more about the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network To Freedom by visiting https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/index.htm.  Brochures can be viewed on the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center’s History Page or https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/history/.

Stay tuned for next month’s Moses Grandy blog!