North Carolina

Timeline: Princeville’s history shows flooding, endurance around Freedom Hill

A temporary mobile Princeville Museum Welcome Center sits outside the flood damaged museum in Princeville, photographed on Feb. 15, 2022.
A temporary mobile Princeville Museum Welcome Center sits outside the flood damaged museum in Princeville, photographed on Feb. 15, 2022. tlong@newsobserver.com

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A history of resilience

The North Carolina town of Princeville is the oldest community chartered by Black people in the United States. It has suffered major floods at least 9 times since its incorporation. Though some leave, the town inevitably decides to largely rebuild in the same place. Now, it works to celebrate its history while also protecting its people.


Princeville, North Carolina, dates back to the waning days of the Civil War, when freed slaves crossed the Tar River and gathered around a camp of Union troops at a place known as Freedom Hill — the town’s original name. Here’s a quick look at key events in Princeville’s 137-year history:

This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 5:45 AM with the headline "Timeline: Princeville’s history shows flooding, endurance around Freedom Hill."

Adam Wagner
The News & Observer
Adam Wagner covers climate change and other environmental issues in North Carolina. His work is produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. Wagner’s previous work at The News & Observer included coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and North Carolina’s recovery from recent hurricanes. He previously worked at the Wilmington StarNews.
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A history of resilience

The North Carolina town of Princeville is the oldest community chartered by Black people in the United States. It has suffered major floods at least 9 times since its incorporation. Though some leave, the town inevitably decides to largely rebuild in the same place. Now, it works to celebrate its history while also protecting its people.