When North Carolina was first occupied by Union forces in 1862, the hopes of freedom grew stronger for many enslaved North Carolinians. In this lesson, students will learn about two freedmen’s settlements that were formed as the Union army advanced from the coast: the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony and the Trent River Settlement in New Bern. Through a reading and partner teaching activity, students will learn about these settlements, the people who inhabited them, and their many contributions to North Carolina and the nation during a crucial time of conflict. Students will then use what they have learned and their creativity to create a historical marker honoring the significance of these settlements and the people comprising them.