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New Bern Historical Attractions
 Tryon Palace Historic Sites
and Gardens
Pollock and George St's.
(252) 514-4900
(800) 767-1560Tryon Palace,
built in 1770 by Colonial Gov.
William Tryon, was known at the
time as one of the most beautiful
buildings in America. The elegant,
Georgian-style mansion is mostly
a reconstruction of the original
building that stood at the same
site. After its use both as a
colonial and state capitol, the
palace fell into disrepair. When
reconstruction was undertaken
in the 1950s, only one wing --
the stables -- remained standing.
The palace now houses an outstanding
collection of antiques and art,
and the grounds are devoted to
extensive landscaping, ranging
from English formal gardens and
a kitchen garden to wilderness
garden areas.
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 Attmore-Oliver
House
511 Broad St.
New Bern, NC.
(252) 638-8558
Built in 1790 by prominent New Bernian
Samuel Chapman, the Attmore-Oliver
House today is the home of the New
Bern Historical Society and the New
Bern Preservation Foundation. It was
enlarged to its present size in 1834
and houses 18th- and 19th-century
antiques, a doll collection and Civil
War memorabilia. Of particular interest
is the fine Greek Revival portico
and two-story porches at the rear
of the house. It is open seasonally
Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4:30
PM and closes from mid-December until
the Spring Homes and Gardens Tour
weekend in early spring. Otherwise,
it is shown by appointment. The house
may be reserved for private functions
and is not handicapped accessible.
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 Dixon-Stevenson
House
609 Pollock St.
(252) 514-4900
(800) 767-1560
Erected in 1830 on a lot that was
originally a part of Tryon Palace's
garden, the Dixon-Stevenson House
epitomizes New Bern's lifestyle in
the first half of the 19th century,
when the town was a prosperous port
and one of the state's largest cities
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 Christ
Episcopal Church
320 Pollock St.
New Bern, NC.
(252) 633-2109
Having celebrated its 250th anniversary
in 1991, Christ Episcopal Church is
the oldest in New Bern and one of
the oldest in North Carolina. This
is actually the third church building
to stand in this area. The first was
completed in 1750 and was later destroyed
by fire. The foundation of that first
church is on the current church grounds.
The second church was completed in
1824 and destroyed by fire in 1871.
The church you see today was completed
in 1875; it is a Gothic Revival building
that incorporates surviving walls
of that second church. The steeple,
with its four-faced clock, is one
of the identifying marks of the downtown
skyline. Among the treasures on display
are a 1752 Book of Common Prayer,
a huge 1717 Bible and a five-piece
silver communion service given to
Christ Church by King George II. Each
bears the royal coat-of-arms. To tour
the church enter the side door weekdays
between 9 AM and 5 PM.
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 First
Presbyterian Church
418 New St
New Bern, NC
(252) 637-3270
The oldest continually used church
building in New Bern, First Presbyterian
was built in 1819-22 by local architect
and builder Uriah Sandy. The congregation
was established in 1817. The Federal-style
church is similar to many built around
the same time in New England but is
unusual in North Carolina. Like that
of Christ Church, the steeple on First
Presbyterian is a point of reference
on the skyline. The church was used
as a Union hospital and lookout post
during the Civil War, and the initials
of soldiers on duty in the belfry
can still be seen carved in the walls.
Visitors are welcome to tour the church
between 9 AM and 2 PM weekdays |
Temple B'Nai Sholem Synagogue
505 Middle St.
New Bern, NC
(252) 638-4228
The stucco, Neoclassical Revival synagogue
is a beautiful, uncommon specimen
of architecture in the area. A Herbert
Woodley Simpson-designed structure,
the synagogue was built in 1908 by
the congregation that was organized
about 1824
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 Centenary
United Methodist Church
309 New St.
New Bern, NC.
(252) 637-4181
First organized as a congregation
in 1772, the current Centenary United
Methodist Church was designed by Herbert
Woodley Simpson and completed in 1904.
Its rounded walls and turrets have
an almost Moorish look. Visitors can
tour the building between 9 AM and
4 PM weekdays |
The New Bern Academy Museum
New and Hancock St's.
New Bern, NC.
(252) 514-4900
(800) 767-1560
Founded in 1764 and built in 1809,
New Bern Academy is the oldest public
school in North Carolina and one of
the oldest in America. It was used
as a school recently enough to have
been attended by some of New Bern's
current residents. After it closed,
it sat vacant for several decades.
In the 1980s, it was purchased and
renovated by Tryon Palace and today
houses exhibits illustrating the 300-year
history of New Bern and eastern North
Carolina. The Academy Museum is open
daily for self-guided touring. Admission
is charged as part of the Tryon Palace
Complex admission.
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Cedar Grove Cemetery
Queen and George St's.
New Bern, NC.
If you're one of those people who
loves wandering through old graveyards,
you'll not want to miss this one.
Statuary and monuments beneath Spanish
moss-draped trees mark burial traditions
from the earliest days of our nation.
One smallish obelisk lists the names
of nine children in one family who
all died within a two-year time span.
The city's monument to its Confederate
dead and the graves of 70 soldiers
are also here. The cemetery's main
gate features a shell motif, with
an accompanying legend that says if
water drips on you as you enter, you
will be the next to arrive by hearse
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Union Point Park
South Front and E. Front St's.
(252) 636-4660
This lovely waterfront park is often
the site of outdoor activities and
offers a welcome respite for weary
visitors who want to take a load off
their feet. Music is sometimes featured
here. It is an excellent place to
simply sit and watch the world float
by. There are lovely river views,
and the site is particularly pleasant
for evening sunset viewing. On-site
facilities accommodate picnicking,
boat launching and other outdoor activities
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 Fireman's Museum
408 Hancock St.
(252) 636-4087
The New Bern fire company is one of
the oldest in the country operating
under its original 1845 charter as
the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company.
The restored museum is just behind
the fire department's Broad Street
headquarters and houses steam pumpers
and an extensive collection of other
early fire-fighting equipment. Also
on exhibit are rare photos, Civil
War relics and even the mounted head
of the faithful old fire horse, Fred,
who, according to stories told by
firefighters, died in his tracks while
answering an alarm. Retired New Bern
firemen are regularly at the museum
to tell fire-fighting stories. Museum
hours are Monday through Saturday
from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, and on Sunday
from 1 to 5 PM. The museum is open
year round, except for a week around
the Fourth of July and a week around
Christmas. Admission is $2 for adults
and $1 for children. The museum is
handicapped accessible. |
Bellair Plantation and Restoration
1100 Washington Post Rd.
(252) 637-3913
The last and largest brick plantation
country house of the 18th century
in North Carolina, the Bellair Plantation
(c. 1734) is a majestic three-story
brick building approached from Highway
43 N. by two long driveways, one lined
by lavish old cedars. Georgian handcrafted
woodwork greets visitors at the imposing
eight-paneled door and continues through
the main rooms. Original family furnishings
are still in the house, probably because
Bellair was specifically guarded from
harm during the occupation of Federal
Forces during the Civil War by order
of Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The written
order, dated March 20, 1862, still
hangs on the wall at Bellair. The
basement holds the cooking fireplaces
with crane, tools and ironworks of
the period. Forty-five minute tours
of the historic site are offered on
weekdays by appointment; Saturdays,
11 AM until 3 PM; Sundays at 2 and
3 PM. Tour prices are $10 for adults,
$5 for children 12 years old and younger.
Group tour discounts are offered |
Farmer's Market
421 South Front St.
(252) 633-1477
Bringing fresh local produce to downtown
New Bern throughout the year, the
Farmer's Market is a town treasure
operated by the Craven County Cooperative
Extension Service. From fruits to
flowers and through the range of baked,
canned and prepared goods, the Farmer's
Market is a favorite stop, but you
have to keep the days and hours in
mind. From June 15 through September
15, days of operation are Tuesday,
Thursday and Saturday from 6 AM to
1 PM. After September 15 and before
June 15, the Farmer's Market is open
Saturdays only, 6 AM to 1 PM. |
Bank of the Arts
317 Middle St.
(252) 638-2577
A former bank built in 1912, the interesting
granite structure now serves as headquarters
for the Craven Arts Council and Gallery.
The classical facade of the building
features Ionic columns leading into
the open, two-story gallery. Detailed
pilasters and Corinthian columns have
been highlighted by colors in the
beaux-arts motif. Changing exhibits
of various media -- painting, sculpture,
photography, pottery, fiber art and
other art forms -- showcase the work
of local and Southeastern artists.
Many special events, such as concerts,
lectures and receptions, are offered
here throughout the year. The Bank
of the Arts does not charge an admission
fee and visitors are welcome to browse.
It is open Monday through Friday from
10 AM to 4 PM. The arts building is
handicapped accessible
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 John Wright
Stanley House
307 George St
(252) 514-4900
(800) 767-1560
On his Southern tour in 1791, President
George Washington dined and danced
at Tryon Palace, but his two nights
in New Bern were spent at the nearby
home of John Wright Stanley. Washington
described his overnight accommodation
as "exceeding good lodgings." |
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