For Joan Collins, history is personal at the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum

Joan Collins stands next to a picture of her father, Herbert Collins, depicting his service at Pea Island Station.

(Photo credit Kip Tabb)

By Kip Tabb | Outer Banks Voice

Joan Collins is finishing a tour of the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum in Manteo, telling the family gathered around her about the history of the Pea Island Lifesaving Station. It is a remarkable one.

For 67 years, from 1880 until it was decommissioned in 1947, the station was manned by an all African American crew. Her father, Herbert Collins, “served at Pea Island from 1940 to 1947 and he would have been the last left in charge” when it was decommissioned, Collins told the Voice.

The history of the station includes the rescue of the crew of the

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