History

Civil War Weekend

Tryon Palace marks the landmark for North Carolina’s first Capitol Building. The Palace was built for Governor Tryon in 1770 and the Capitol was later relocated to Raleigh in 1778.

Besides being the First State Capitol in North Carolina, New Bern is a town full of history. Here are a few of numerous historical events:

James Davis opened the First Printing Press in North Carolina
Pepsi was invented in New Bern by Caleb Bradham
First Public School in North Carolina
First Chartered Fire Department in North Carolina
New Bern’s Devastating Fire of 1922

The North Carolina History Center is currently offering Virtual Tours until they reopen.

Learn about the 1862 “Battle of New Bern” by visiting New Bern’s Civil War Battlefield located at the entrance of Taberna (off Hwy 70 E). For details, contact New Bern Historical Society, 512 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-638-8558.

New Bern showcases buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places dating back to the 1700s. The Isaac Taylor House was built in 1792 by Isaac Taylor, the great-great-great-grandfather of musicians Livingston and James Taylor. Union troops arrived in New Bern in 1862 and took hold of the house. The occupants withdrew to the third and fourth floors and remained there for the duration of the war, using a basket with bracket-and-pulley system to transport food and supplies. You can still see the device on the south side of the building.

New Bern’s Historical Homes are well worth the visit to New Bern! Why not stay at one of the “Historical” Bed and Breakfast and experience the history yourself!

New Bern’s Historic Landmarks:

Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, 610 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-514-4900 or 800-767-1560
Bellair Plantation, 1100 Washington Post Rd., New Bern, 252-637-3913
Birthplace of Pepsi, 256 Middle St., New Bern, 252-636-5898
Cedar Grove Cemetery, George St., Greenwood Cemetery, Cyprus St., and New Bern Cemetery, New Bern, 252-639-7515
Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 New St., New Bern, 252-637-4181
Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery, 320 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-633-2109
City Hall, 300 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-636-4000
First Baptist Church, 239 Middle St., New Bern, 252-638-5691
First Church of Christ, 406 Middle St., New Bern, 252-638-6269
First Presbyterian Church, 418 New St., New Bern, 252-637-3270
Hebrew Cemetery, National Ave., New Bern
Isaac Taylor House, 228 Craven St., New Bern, 252-649-1712
New Bern National Cemetery, 1711 National Ave, New Bern, 252-637-2912
Saint Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 604 Johnson St., New Bern, 252-633-3816
Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 510 Middle St., New Bern
Saint Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 604 Johnson St., New Bern, 252-633-3816
Temple B’Nai Sholem Synagogue, 505 Middle St., New Bern, 252-638-4545

Museums:

Attmore-Oliver Civil War House Museum, 510 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-638-8558
New Bern Fireman’s Museum, 408 Hancock St., New Bern, 252-636-4087
New Bern Academy Museum, located at the corner of New and Hancock Sts.
USMC Aviation Exhibit, 201 Tourist Center Drive, Havelock, 252-444-4348

Tours:

New Bern Tours and Convention Services, 333 Middle St., New Bern, 252-637-7316 or 800-849-7316
Walking Tours, Tryon Palace, Corner of Pollock and George Sts., New Bern, 252-514-4900 or 800-767-1560
Self-Guided African American Heritage Tour sponsored by the Craven County Convention and Visitors Center, 252-637-9400
Trail of Flames Historical Tour of the Great Fire of 1922, New Bern, 252-288-5716

New Bern’s Historical Resources:

New Bern Historical Society, 512 Pollock St., New Bern, 252-638-8558
The National Register of Historic Places for a complete listing of historic landmarks in New Bern.

Note: If you notice important historical facts about New Bern that have been left out, please send an Email and they will be added.