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, […]
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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
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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
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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
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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
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by Claudia Houston-New Bern Historical Society During March of 1862 a meeting took place in New Bern which would have historical significance well after the end of the Civil War. What was this meeting about and who were the participants? When the Civil War began in 1861, regiments were formed in villages and towns. As
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What Happened in New Bern in February By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society In February of 1902 an elderly black man died and his obituary was posted in the local newspaper. He was born a slave and was greatly respected by blacks and whites. Who was this man? On February 2, 1902, The Daily
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What Happened in New Bern in January By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society Photo 1: Early daguerreotype of two unknown soldiers courtesy of Heritage Auctions. The month of January is significant for several reasons to an early New Bern photographer. Who is he and what was his role in New Bern’s history? On January
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What Happened in New Bern in DecemberBy Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society 2019On December 5, 1984 the first Coastal Carolina Celebration Tree Lighting was held in downtown New Bern. The New Bern downtown area was in decline, but many remembered bygone Christmas seasons when Santa had a little house on Middle Street, there was
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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
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