Rumor has it that Blackbeard's treasure is buried at First Landing State Park.

You see, Blackbeard used to be able to pull his boat around the Broad Bay and load up his water casks with swamp water. Because the cypress tree bark leaches out acidic tannins, the water stayed fresh while he and his pirate crew were out to sea. 

Now before you pack up your shovel and pickaxe, remember you need a permit to dig or collect fossils, plants, or even hidden treasure. But you can check out Blackbeard's treasure box at First Landing State Park's Trail Center. Inside that treasure chest is something that is beyond value--worth way more than mere coins and Spanish galleons.

Stop by the Trail Center at First Landing State Park and see what you can find in Blackbeard's treasure chest

Here's a list of interesting facts about the pirate known as Blackbeard:  

• Blackbeard’s real name was Edward Teach. He was born in 1690 and died in 1718.
• Blackbeard was actually married, not just once, but some say, up to fourteen times. Mary Ormand was his late wife and he was 26 years old and they were married in Bath, North Carolina in 1718
• His name came about because of his thick black beard and striking appearance. People stated that whenever he went on raids he would have lit fuses under his hat and wind them into his beard.
• His flag is black and has a skeleton on it, which symbolized a graveyard. The skeleton is holding a spear in one hand demonstrating a violent death, and an hourglass in the other that is pointing to a heart that is dripping three blood drops. The pierced heart with a sword demonstrates a merciless death; the spear showed a violent death and the blood leaking down symbolized a tortuous death. Lastly, the hourglass meant a swift death. As you could probably see a very overall theme of death.
• Some of his raids were in the Virginia waterway system. This is because they are perfect for traveling pirates like Blackbeard whom needed to have a hiding spot after a large raid. The Hampton Roads area has many inlets and tributaries where the pirates could flee, strategize, and strike with an element of surprise.
• The area was a perfect hideout for the pirates because of the resources and abundant wildlife in the area.  From fresh fish and rabbit to fresh water and lumber, they were able to resupply and repair their ships.  
• Though famous, Blackbeard was only an active legendary pirate for two years. He died while in North Carolina on his ship the Ranger (which was a Virginia ship).
• After his death, his head and the booty were brought back to Virginia from Ocracoke Island.
• Blackbeard was not the only pirate to roam this waterway; many other pirates traveled for the same reasons--great hideouts and ample resources.  One such compatriot was as the famous Charles Vane, who occasionally sailed with Blackbeard.
• Lastly, there are no accounts of Blackbeard leaving behind treasure and burying it. A lot of his treasure was vulnerable to the elements such as cocoa and fabrics that would have deteriorated over the centuries.

Stop by the First Landing State Park Trail Center and see what is hidden in Blackbeard's treasure chest then hike out on the Bald Cypress Trail to see some of the swampy areas where Blackbeard hid from the British navy. You can also join a Swamp Stomp program to find out more about these swamps and the critters in the water. Click here for a calendar of events and programs.