Independence Day in History by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society Courtesy vintageholidaycrafts.com We always enjoy reading about how the New Bern of yesteryear loved celebrations and parties. What better time for festivities than the Fourth of July? We all have recollections of the Fourth of July – parades, baseball, barbecue, and fireworks. Was […]
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A Giant Career (and it all began here) by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society Art Devlin 1911, from the Bain News Service, courtesy Wikipedia It is always astonishing to learn of the many men and women from outside New Bern who found their way here and left a lasting impression. There have been
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A New Bern History Mystery by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society New Bern has had many “firsts” over the years – among them, first printing press and postal service in North Carolina and first registered nurse in America. In January 1829 New Bern celebrated the arrival of a another exciting historical premier. However,
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The Elusive Veiled Lady by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society On April 14, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. A massive investigation to determine whether Booth acted alone resulted in the conviction of eight co-conspirators. Four were hung, including boarding house owner Mary Surratt. You may remember these details
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Band of Brothers by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society While the inhumanity of war is clear, sometimes acts of humanity during war take us by surprise. One such example is that of Confederate Captain Mayo and his captor, Union Major W. B. Lowell. This is their story. A map of the battlefield, based
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by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society In February 1864, in an ironic turn of events, the Tuscarora Indians participated in a pivotal Civil War battle on the very land near New Bern that they had been forced to leave nearly 150 years prior. Isaac Newton “Newt” Parker, Co. D, 132nd NY Infantry. Courtesy
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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
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by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society This month marks the death 98 years ago of a distinguished New Bern native for whom a liberty ship was named. This is the story of diplomat, author, and legal scholar Hannis Taylor. After the Union occupation of New Bern during March 1862, many local families fled
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by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society Winslow Homer “Thanksgiving Day in the Army – After Dinner: The Wish-Bone” (from Harper’s Weekly, Vol. VIII), courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art website During November our thoughts often turn to family, food and home in preparation for Thanksgiving. Although we deeply associate the story of the Pilgrims’
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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
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