This Month

A Local Legend with a Global Past  NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston New Bern has seen its fair share of ambitious dreamers, but few have left a mark quite like James Milton West. Born in Ohio in 1879, West was anything but ordinary. By the time he made New Bern his home in the 1920s, he had […]

Historic Five Points District   NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston Whether you are new to the City of New Bern or a long-time resident, you have probably heard of the area known as Five Points. However, many ask, where exactly is it and what is its historical significance? Intersection of Five Points New Bern’s Five Points is just

Necessity is the Mother of Invention   NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston January is a good month to reflect on the past, and at the New Bern Historical Society, we like to review old newspaper articles.  An article from the Raleigh News and Observer written in 1938 by local reporter and Historian Gertrude Carraway reminded us why.  Her

New Bern’s Own “Six Triple Eight”   NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston A movie debuting in December 2024 states “Six Triple Eight” tells the inspiring true story of the incredible and brave women of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color stationed overseas during World War II.” A woman born and raised in New Bern

North Carolina’s Famous Sting Operation NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston 1861 State Capitol, Raleigh NC Did you know that the original copy of the Bill of Rights that was sent to North Carolina in 1789 was stolen and missing for over one hundred forty years?  This is the story of its theft and recovery. After the American

Paving Paradise NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston At the end of the 19th century, East Front Street was a bucolic and lovely road with stately homes overlooking the Neuse River. Cows could be seen roaming the streets at one time, while businesses and factories were located down the street at Union Point. One of the loveliest homes

A Founding Father Comes to Town NBHS Historian/Claudia Houston It is not often that a town can boast a Founding Father has visited their city. New Bern actually hosted two Founding Fathers who became Presidents, George Washington during his Southern Tour in April 1791, and James Monroe during his April 1819 tour. While many know

Sacrifice of the Healers During the Civil War, many soldiers on both sides lost their lives, not just from bullet wounds or muskets, but also from illness and disease. This included medical staff who were sometimes unable to heal others or themselves. This is the story of one such man. Rollin Thaddeus Baker resided in