Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Inc. was recognized for important restoration work that helps tell the history of rural African-American schools throughout the state.

Jarvisburg Colored School served Currituck County since its establishment in 1868 and is the oldest historically African-American school still in existence in the county. In 2003 Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Inc., was establishes as a nonprofit organization to preserve and protect the site. The building, currently under renovation, stands to represent other similar schools that were scattered throughout the area and helps interpret the history of African Americans in the community.

Built in 1868 and remodeled in the 1890s, the building served as a school until 1950, when Currituck County opened Currituck Union School for African-American children. At that point, Corinth Baptist Church bought the building and used it for various functions until the 1980s. With the establishment of Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Inc., the church graciously donated the building to the new non-profit. The group first focused on collecting historic information about this school and five other schools for African-American children in Currituck County and getting the school listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Attention then turned to restoring the school.

The restoration of the long-unused school building is well under way. The nonprofit school group has received grants for these projects from the Currituck County Board of Commissioners, along with contributions from members, alumni, local businesses and organizations. Plans for the future include the establishment of a museum featuring exhibits that tell the stories of local rural African-American families and the children who attended these schools.

This project is especially important because it illuminates our shared cultural past, representing not only this county but also other communities statewide.

Preservation North Carolina applauds Historic Jarvisburg Colored School, Inc., for its role in preserving the Jarvisburg school and educating the public about African-American history. We are pleased to award them a 2008 Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit. Former student and association president Alice Hunt Lindsey accepted the award.