MANTEO, N.C. — In December, the Outer Banks community lost one of its great storytellers, historian Darrell Collins at age 67.

What You Need To Know

  • Darrell Collins spent over 40 years as a Wright Brothers historian

  • In 2003, Collins was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

  • Collins opened Pea Island Cookhouse Museum honoring legacy of Pea Island Life-Saving Station and its all-Black crew

Collins was born and raised in Manteo and had deep ties to the Black history of the area.

His cousin, Joan Collins, said he got his early love of history from his mother and became passionate about it when he attended Elizabeth City State University to study archeology.

He’ll be remembered as a compelling orator, friend and servant to his community.

“Darrell was really loved by everyone in the community, you know, on Roanoke Island and outside of Roanoke Island … so losing him is really sad,” said Joan Collins, the director of Pea Island Preservation Society.

In 2008 Darrell and Joan Collins created the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum in Manteo. The museum honors the history of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station and its all-Black crew and the families' personal connection with over 400 years of combined service in the U.S. Coast Guard. 

“So there’s a lot of personal significance for both me and Darrell and a lot of, you know, just significance, because it's such a part of the history of the community as a whole,” Collins said. 

She said they believed that while the Outer Banks has a rich history, its Black history is often overlooked.

“This history really has been overshadowed by more popular history, like the Wright brothers, which obviously Darrell played such a role in telling. I think they're quite surprised to find that here. But it's an important part of the history of this area as well,” Collins said.

In his 42-year career as an interpreter for the National Park Service, Darrell Collins' gift for storytelling took flight. 

He would give "fly talks" to thousands of visitors each year, retelling the story of innovation and invention of the Wright brothers. He knew the story of the Wright brothers and local history down to the finest detail and was able to share it with audiences of all ages.

“I think what his magic was, you know, he kind of humanized the story,” Joan Collins said. 

Darrell Collins became a Manteo town commissioner and served for 18 years. 

And in 2003, he was honored by then-Gov. Mike Easley with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for his work as a historian. 

Joan Collins said she will remember her cousin most for his hard work and giving a voice to untold stories. 

Collins' "fly talks" can be found on the National Park Service site, and more information about the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum can be found here.