Isaac Taylor House, 228 Craven St. The Beauty of Downtown Fences & Gates by Curator Jim Hodges Even as a young boy while walking about the streets of downtown New Bern, I was always impressed by the array of metal fences and gates. Although many years have slipped by, my fascination has never waned. […]
Gateway to History Read More »
by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society Appleton Oaksmith, one of the most eccentric characters in New Bern history, died this month in 1887. While he did not reside in New Bern, he was known here primarily due to his purchase and reconstruction of the Simpson house at 226 East Front Street. Later known
This Month in New Bern History – October 2020 Read More »
It is Wednesday, so “What is in the Attic with Jim”? Today we celebrated the lives of some inspiring New Bern women in a very special Lunch & Learn program “Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Deeds.” If you were there you were introduced to Charlotte Rhone, played by Historical Society Board Member and New Bern native Carol
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It is Wednesday, so What is in the Attic with Jim? New Bern is rich in important African American landmarks. This is a recent photo of St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church at 604 Johnson, Street in New Bern. It is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, African American Episcopal Churches in the State of
Landmark Black Church Read More »
Another Famous First by Claudia Houston, Historian New Bern is the site of many significant “firsts” – first provincial convention in America held in defiance of British orders, North Carolina’s first capital, first postal service, first free public school, and first black-owned bank. During the month of June in the year 1749, New Bern was
This Month in New Bern History – June 2020 Read More »
It is Wednesday, so “What is in the Attic with Jim”? In 2000 we received a photo and letter from 82-year-old Volkert Veeder regarding his roommate at the US Naval Academy, Henry Purifoy Whitehurst Jr. Both are on display at the New Bern Historical Society, 511 Broad Street. Henry attended The Citadel for a year
Saluting a WWII Veteran Read More »
by Jim Hodges Curator, New Bern Historical Society “Boston Millionaire to Locate Here,” read the headline in the New Bern Weekly Journal on this day in May 1914, declaring that Dr. Earl S. Sloan was planning to build a winter home in the area. Today this announcement would probably not attract much attention, but in
American Dream Leads to New Bern Read More »
U.S. Colored Troops Recruiting Poster, Wikipedia At the Vanguard of History by Bernard George One hundred fifty-seven years ago this month, New Bern, North Carolina was the site of an event that would dramatically impact the conduct of the Civil War and provoke a major societal shift across our young nation. In 1863, the United
This Month in New Bern History – May 2020 Read More »
New Bern’s Oldest House? by Jim Hodges, Curator I have always been puzzled as to the oldest surviving residential structure in downtown New Bern. When asked from time to time as to which house has the acclaim, my response has routinely been inconclusive. A few months ago, armed with Peter Sandbeck’s authoritative book The Historic
New Bern’s Oldest House? Read More »
It is Wednesday, so “What is in the Attic with Jim?” Jim has an exciting new photo to show you, courtesy of John Mason. It is 202 Craven Street, at the northeast corner of Craven St. and South Front St. which is now occupied by Nautical Wheelers. It once was the site of the Craven
Don’t You Love a Mystery? Read More »
