Announcements

by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society During the 1890’s in New Bern there was a large middle class of African American businesspeople who needed not only goods but services and institutions that would meet their specific needs.  One such institution began with great promise, but by January of 1915 had to close its […]

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

by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society What person from a famous New Bern family was promoted to commodore in the US Navy on 1 July 1870 and had a destroyer in WWII named after him? Our notable person for July is Fabius Maximus Stanly, the son of John Stanly and Elizabeth Franks Stanly,

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

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

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

By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society A young African American barber from New Bern died in France in this month, 101 years ago.  His name is etched on a monument at the Craven County Courthouse.  Who was he and what was his story? Born in December 1896, Castillia Henry grew up with his parents