Historic places

Historic Homes of Tryon Palace

Historic homes surrounding Tryon Palace showcase different periods of New Bern’s history. In addition, New Bern Academy was the first charter school in the state; an 1809 school building now houses four permanent exhibits as the New Bern Academy Museum.

Gov. Caswell Memorial

A museum and a memorial to Richard Caswell, first elected governor of North Carolina and delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

The Dixon House

This house was built in the early 1830s for George W. Dixon, a merchant tailor and, briefly, a town commissioner. The house stands on a lot that was once part of the Tryon Palace grounds. The Dixon House was used as a hospital for the 9th Vermont Infantry during the federal occupation of New Bern during the Civil War. This Federal style house has Greek revival features and includes a widow’s walk between its two chimneys. 800-767-1560, www.tryonpalace.org

C.S.S. Neuse State Historic Site

Classified as one of North Carolina’s Historic Sites is the C.S.S. Neuse State Historic Site along with the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center showcases the state’s largest historic artifact and state of the art exhibits. The site is open year round and hosts various programs during the year.

The Stanly House

Built in the early 1780s for John Wright Stanly, this house is an example of Georgian architecture, as it was expressed in the South. The elegant house has been meticulously restored. Visitors can learn about the Stanly family’s interesting history, as well as an overnight visit from George Washington. 800-767-1560, www.tryonpalace.org

The Hay House

The Robert Hay House, a Federal-style residence, was built at the beginning of the 19th century. It has been restored to the way it looked between 1830 and 1850 and is a living-history museum. Actors portraying Hay family members and neighbors re-enact life as it was in 1835, and visitors can touch and use the furnishings, which are reproductions. 800-767-1560, www.tryonpalace.org

Attmore-Oliver House

This house, built circa 1790 and enlarged around 1834, exhibits 18th- and 19th-century furniture and New Bern historical objects, including Civil War artifacts. Its gardens have been thoughtfully designed with local plantings, which were probably original to the site. The building serves as the headquarters for the New Bern Historical Society and is open for guided tours by appointment. 513 Broad St. (entrance at 510 Pollock St.), 252-638-8558, newbernhistorical.org