Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Juneteenth Celebration
Join community members and visitors for a special celebration of the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School and Juneteenth. The event will have presentations on the history of the school and Juneteenth along with musical performances. Food and drink will be available on site along with a bounce house for our younger attendees. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School Board’s scholarship program. The long-awaited bronze statue of John Jasper White will be unveiled during the celebration as well. See you there!
About John Jasper White:
John Jasper White, also known as Currituck Jack, was an enslaved mariner in Currituck County during the Revolutionary War. In February 1780, the schooner Polly departed Currituck Sound carrying supplies to Charleston with crewmen Caleb White, Samuel Jasper, and Currituck Jack aboard. Captured by the British privateer Fame, the Americans were imprisoned while Jack was tied to the mast after an unsuccessful escape attempt. After convincing the British that he could serve as a skilled sailor and cook, Jack gained their trust and was released. Under cover of darkness, he freed the imprisoned crewmen, and together they overpowered their captors, reclaimed the vessel, and sailed safely into Annapolis, Maryland. Jack’s bravery saved the crew and earned praise from the Continental Congress and North Carolina leaders. Years later, after gaining his freedom and taking the name John Jasper White, he became a ship owner and respected member of the community. Today, he is remembered as one of North Carolina’s overlooked Revolutionary War heroes.
Currituck County was honored to receive a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, to help fund this commemorative project.
