Constructed in 1924, Ebenezer Presbyterian Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation dates back to 1878 when local African American minister B. B. Palmer decided to organize separate meetings for African American members of the predominantly white First Presbyterian Church of New Bern.
Saint Peter’s is known as the Mother Church of Zion Methodism in the South owing to its origins as one of the first AME Zion congregations in the region. St. Peter’s AME Zion Episcopal Church is a brick gothic-style building in New Bern founded by James Walker Hood. The congregation's original building was constructed in 1802, a collaboration between the already-built Saint Andrew’s and Purvis Chapel. The two chapels became affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) in 1864 and the congregations combined in 1879 under the name Saint Peter’s. In the same year, the congregation purchased a new site between Johnson and Queen Streets in downtown New Bern for the church.
The Rhone Hotel was run by Charlotte and her sisters, Carrie and Harriet. The Rhone Hotel was one of the first of it's kind, providing sleeping quarters for Black travelers in hopes of increasing the amount of Black travelers in their area. Due to a large portion of hotels being whites only, hotels such as the Rhone Hotel were few and far between; and in great demand. Played a great role in housing Blacks after the Great Fire of New Bern (1922).
This marker denotes the location of the boyhood homes of Gabriel and George Rains, two influential military leaders and inventors. The two brothers followed similar paths in life and were known by many New Bern residents as the “Bomb Brothers” given their careers in explosives. Gabriel J. Rains (1803-1881) achieved the rank of Brigadier General in the Confederate army and invented the sub-terra shell or "time bomb." George Washington Rains (1817-1898) was the president of Washington Ironworks and Highland Ironworks. George secured patents for steam engines and boilers and served as a Major in the Confederate Army.
Dedicated during World War II, this stone obelisk includes the names of Craven County men who were killed in the first World War. The names of Craven County who were killed in World War II were added to the monument. In 2019, the monument was rededicated with more names added, including seven African American soldiers who had not been previously included.
This unique clock is believed to be one of three of its kind remaining in the country and the only one in North Carolina. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places by itself and as part of the New Bern Historic District, the Baxter Clock was built in 1920 by the Seth Thomas Clock Company and installed at this location in 1930. It is named after the former Baxter Jewelry store whose owners installed it in front of their business. Unfortunately, in 1977 a truck backed into the clock, damaging it. During the process of removal for repair, the clock was dropped, smashing the glass and machinery inside. It was put in storage and there it sat for 14 years until the Swiss Bear Development Corporation offered to repair it. It was finally reinstalled in 1991.
Around the late 1880s, soda pop was beginning to blossom all around the world. In New Bern, North Carolina, Caleb Bradham founded the soda pop Pepsi in his own pharmacy on Middle Street. This was the first step in Pepsi's long journey to becoming a multi-million dollar company, and it all started in a small town. The building still stands today, and operates exactly as it did in 1893. The shop has vintage memorabilia is on display at the Birthplace of Pepsi.
This museum first opened to the public in 1955 and features exhibits that showcase the Atlantic and Button Companies-two rival fire companies that later merged into one unified station. The museum also offers exhibits related to historic equipment and firefighting techniques as well as New Bern's Great Fire of 1922. The first fire department in the area was established in 1845, operating as the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company. After Union soldiers arrived during the Civil War, they founded another one called the New Bern Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1. The company was known as the Atlantics and composed of former Confederates. Meanwhile, former Union soldiers formed a rival company and also bought the town's first steam engine in 1884 called the Button Steam Fire Engine. Members of this company began to be called 'Buttons' and they changed their name to the Button Company. The two departments competed against each other in firefighting ( Eventually, both were moved into the same building and later were joined together to form the New Bern Volunteer Fire Department.
Located in the historic Attmore-Oliver House, the New Bern Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of the community and its people. The organization offers tours of the home, educational programs and maintains a portion of the New Bern Battlefield Park which is located a few miles southeast of the town (the New Bern battle occurred in the area on March 14, 1862). The first floor of the house is open for tours and features period furnishings, interpretive displays, a room dedicated to Civil War history, and other historic items. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The John Wright Stanley House is a historic house museum located in New Bern, North Carolina. This Georgian mansion was built of hand-hewn longleaf pine was constructed in 1779. The home is named in honor of John Wright Stanley, its original owner and supporter of colonial forces in the American Revolution. The home has been moved twice before being brought to its current location. In 1791, President George Washington stayed at this house while in New Bern during his tour of Southern states. This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored in 1972 and dedicated by First Lady Pat Nixon.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour includes several historic churches, downtown buildings and landmarks, museums, and historical markers. The tour concludes with the New Bern Historical Society and Tryon Palace and North Carolina History Center.
