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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by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society Photo from Wikipedia On September 19, 1889, a young professional, educated couple were married in New Bern. Together they were to have a profound effect in establishing an African American middle class and promoting gender and racial equality in 19th century New Bern. This is their story.
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by Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society North Carolina Highway Marker at Broad and Craven Street, New Bern, NC New Bern is well known for its many significant “firsts” – North Carolina’s first capital, first printing press, first newspaper, first published book, and first postal service, among others. But one “famous first” in August
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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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