James City Historical Society

08/18/2026

Step Back in Time! 🏛️

Explore an important and fascinating piece of James City’s history with a **FREE tour of the circa 1850 Slave Quarters & Far Cemetery**, presented by the James City Historical Society.

📍 **911 Howell Road, James City, NC**
🕐 **Tours are between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.**

Upcoming 2026 tour dates:

📅 August 23rd
📅 September 27th
📅 October 25th
📅 November 2nd
📅 December 27th

Come learn about the people, places, and stories that shaped our community and help preserve this important part of James City’s history.

**FREE TOURS — Everyone is welcome!**

Learn more at **[www.jchs.org](http://www.jchs.org)**

07/20/2026

We were honored to welcome **Tri-County Community Hands of Blessings, Inc.** to James City Historical Society on Friday! Fifteen youth and five adult leaders from Jones County visited to learn about the rich history of James City, including tours of the **1850 Slave Quarters** and **Far Cemetery**.

A special thank you to **Mrs. Strayhorn-Bell**, Director of Tri-County Community Hands of Blessings, Inc., and **Ben Watford**, James City Historical Society Board Member, for making this meaningful educational visit possible. We appreciate your commitment to preserving and sharing our history!

07/06/2026

JCHS was proud to take part in this year's July 4th Parade, honoring the enduring truth that African American history has been American history since 1776.

06/02/2026

Be sure to stop by on Saturday, June 13, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., for a free history tour of the circa 1850 slave quarters and cemetery.

05/05/2026

The James City Historical Society was proud to host its Founders Day Celebration on Sunday, April 26th at The Flame—a meaningful gathering to honor the enduring legacy of James City.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition from Governor Josh Stein, whose proclamation officially acknowledges the founding of James City—one of the oldest continuous communities in North Carolina established by formerly enslaved people.

The program was moving, emotional, and filled with laughter—along with plenty of good food and fellowship. We were honored to hear from an inspiring group of speakers, including William Hollowell, Craig Allen, Representative Don Davis, John H. Banks, Tina Adkins, Ira Credle, and Chef James "Smoke" Boyd.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate, remember, and carry this legacy forward.

04/25/2026

We are honored to share that Governor Josh Stein has officially recognized the founding of James City with a formal proclamation.

James City holds a unique place in North Carolina history—it is the only former “contraband camp” established by the Union Army that refused to be disbanded after the Civil War, and it remains the oldest continuous community in the state founded by formerly enslaved people.

This proclamation recognizes not just a moment in history, but generations of resilience, strength, and determination. The legacy of James City continues to inspire and remind us of the power of community and perseverance.

Governor Stein Recognizes The Founding of James City In Recognition of The Founding of James City.pdf PDF • 1.53 MB - March 31, 2026 Proclamation

04/03/2026

Proclamation by Governor Josh Stein honoring our James City Founders Day.

Governor Stein Recognizes The Founding of James City In Recognition of The Founding of James City.pdf PDF • 1.53 MB - March 31, 2026 Proclamation