Plymouth waterfront added to NPS 'Network to Freedom' as county approves designation
March 01, 2026 | Washington County, North Carolina
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Chair Julius Walker Jr. convened the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6, and the board voted unanimously to approve a resolution backing Plymouth’s designation by the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom program.
The designation was presented by Willie Drye, chair of the Maritime Museum Board, who joined the meeting by Zoom and walked commissioners through materials included in the agenda packet from the National Park Service. Drye described potential next steps including “markers and exhibits at Water Street Landing Park” and displays in area museums and asked for a commissioner to participate in community planning meetings.
Why it matters: The Network to Freedom designation recognizes places with documented associations to the Underground Railroad and typically opens opportunities for interpretive signage, partnership with the National Park Service and inclusion in national storytelling and tourism programs. Drye said the program lists more than 700 designated sites nationally and that nearby communities also have sites that could form a regional interpretive network.
Commissioner Ann C. Keyes moved to approve the Plymouth waterfront designation; Commissioner John C. Spruill seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board did not adopt any funding commitments at the meeting; Drye said the designation could be followed by local planning and marker design, which would require separate approvals and budgets.
Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners thanked Drye for the work preparing the application; Keyes and Commissioner Carol V. Phelps called the packet informative. Drye said he would continue outreach with community leaders and keep the Board updated on next steps for local interpretation and any requests for funding or site work.
The designation materials cited in the agenda were an NPS Network to Freedom notification letter and an NTF news release about the Water Street Landing Park site. The board’s vote at the Feb. 6 meeting formalized local support but did not itself obligate county funds or direct implementation tasks.
The board moved on to other agenda items after recording the unanimous vote.
The designation was presented by Willie Drye, chair of the Maritime Museum Board, who joined the meeting by Zoom and walked commissioners through materials included in the agenda packet from the National Park Service. Drye described potential next steps including “markers and exhibits at Water Street Landing Park” and displays in area museums and asked for a commissioner to participate in community planning meetings.
Why it matters: The Network to Freedom designation recognizes places with documented associations to the Underground Railroad and typically opens opportunities for interpretive signage, partnership with the National Park Service and inclusion in national storytelling and tourism programs. Drye said the program lists more than 700 designated sites nationally and that nearby communities also have sites that could form a regional interpretive network.
Commissioner Ann C. Keyes moved to approve the Plymouth waterfront designation; Commissioner John C. Spruill seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board did not adopt any funding commitments at the meeting; Drye said the designation could be followed by local planning and marker design, which would require separate approvals and budgets.
Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners thanked Drye for the work preparing the application; Keyes and Commissioner Carol V. Phelps called the packet informative. Drye said he would continue outreach with community leaders and keep the Board updated on next steps for local interpretation and any requests for funding or site work.
The designation materials cited in the agenda were an NPS Network to Freedom notification letter and an NTF news release about the Water Street Landing Park site. The board’s vote at the Feb. 6 meeting formalized local support but did not itself obligate county funds or direct implementation tasks.
The board moved on to other agenda items after recording the unanimous vote.
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