About Us
The Blue Jay Recreation facility is located out in the rural part of Bertie County in eastern North Carolina and now serves as a safe place for youth to thrive and for the community to get together.
Events
YOUTH/ ADULTS KICKBALL & BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
June/ July
BLUE JAY RECREATION CENTER WALK- A – THON
October 18, 2025
BERTIE’S FORGOTTEN BLACK & NATIVE PATRIOTS OF THE
October 3ʳᵈ & 4ᵗʰ 2025
HUNTERS & LANDOWNERS BREAKFAST
September
BACK TO SCHOOL EXTRAVAGANZA/ BBQ CHICKEN COOKOFF
August 9, 2025
MOVIE NIGHT
July 26, 2025
History
While the residents of Indian Woods were impacted by the Great Migration and politics from 1960 to 1990, they were also more directly affected by community development. By 1965 most residents of Indian Woods had become very aware of the recreational needs of their community. One of these needs was some type of community recreation center for their children between the ages of 5 and 18. In response to this, a group of residents led by Bart F. Smallwood created a Little League baseball team in 1965, later building and chartering the Blue Jay Recreation Center in 1966. Although in the early stages of development Bart Smallwood acted alone, by 1967 he had solicited the support of the four area churches and interested residents. The pastors of these four churches encouraged their members to donate time and money to developing the recreation center. This set the stage for more community involvement and cooperation.
Tuscarora Nation in Indian Woods
Before the arrival of European explorers in 1585 and settlers in 1655, Indian Woods was inhabited by the Tuscarora who were part of the Iroquois linguistic group of the Northeastern Woodland Indians, who lived around the Great Lakes region of New York and Canada (see Appendix, Figure 6). The Tuscarora, with their neighbors the Algonquins, moved into the Carolina area around 2,000 to 5,000 years ago. The Tuscarora and their allies, the Nottoway and Meherrin Indians, settled in an area of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia known as the western coastal plains. They and their allies established several towns up from the mouth of the Neuse River, in eastern North Carolina, north to the Nottoway River in Southeastern Virginia.
Meet Our Partners
North Carolina Central University
NCCU College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities sits at the core of the University’s mission to prepare students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. With 14 undergraduate and 7 graduate degree programs in the areas of art and design, behavioral and social sciences, criminal justice, history, language and literature, mass communication, music, political science, psychology, public administration, social work and theatre and dance, the College is the largest on campus, with over 2,600 students, and also includes both the Army ROTC and Airforce ROTC.
Indian Woods Historical Preservation Society
Organized in 2024, The Society encourages the study of history of Indian Woods, with primary emphasis on the history of the various mixed-race, African, Tuscarora, and European inhabitants of the community in North Carolina and secondary emphasis on the history of North Carolina and the United States. The Society seeks to foster research, writing, presentations, and publications of worthy historical topics on the people and area.
Bertie County Schools
Bertie County Schools is a PK–12 graded school district serving Bertie County, North Carolina.
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Throughout history, North Carolinians have led bold initiatives to improve our state—protecting voting rights, promoting public education, and safeguarding natural resources. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) has supported many of these efforts. ZSR is a private family foundation dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina. Established in 1936 by the children of R.J. and Katharine Smith Reynolds in Winston-Salem, the foundation was created in memory of their brother, Zachary Smith Reynolds. Its founding charter defines its purpose as “the accomplishment of charitable works in the state of North Carolina.” Nearly a century later, ZSR remains committed to its mission—supporting people and organizations working to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. Since its founding, ZSR has invested nearly $700 million into organizations striving to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable North Carolina.
News
Bertie Daily Advance
Roanoke Chowan News Herald
