May 30, 2026

11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
New Bern Academy

Join us May 30, 2026, as our USCT 35^th Regiment interpreters honor a powerful chapter in American history, the commemorative anniversary of the Bureau of United States Colored Troops (USCT) and the bureau’s presence in New Bern, North Carolina. 

During the Civil War, New Bern became a place of refuge and opportunity for formerly enslaved people seeking freedom. It was here that many African American men stepped forward to serve in the USCT, courageously fighting for the Union and for the promise of liberty. 

This is an opportunity for the community to learn more about the USCT through storytelling and live campsite demonstrations.

Local author and historian Dr. David Cecelski will give a keynote address on Abraham Galloway’s advocacy for enslaved people, pushing for the American Civil War to become a fight for liberation and not just the preservation of the Union. Cecelski is a native of Carteret County and a co-recipient of the N.C. Literary and Historical Association’s Christopher Crittenden Memorial Award. 

This event is FREE to the public!