New Bern Tours & Convention Services

09/10/2026

Oooooo 👻 it’s almost time for Ghostwalk! A fall favorite you don’t want to miss!

Earl of Craven Lodge

We bring you another then-and-now set of images “from the attic”…but this one has a Ghostwalk connection! 👻

Out at the intersection of Craven and Broad Streets we see the Earl of Craven Lodge taken by photographer Billy Benners circa 1950. Amenities included steam heat, tiled baths, and air cooled for those hot days. Back then you’d reach the lodge office or guests by calling phone ☎️ # 5122!

Today, this location is our great friends and longtime Ghostwalk Co-Title Sponsors, Chesnutt & Clemmons! We are so grateful for their many years of spooky support and ghoulish generosity! We need you to know - tickets 🎫 👻 are ON SALE NOW! Be sure to come out and support the area’s largest storytelling event this October 22-24. The theme this year is Voices of Freedom: America 250. Tickets available on our website, Mitchell Hardware, and both Harris Teeters! Info linked in the comments ⬇️

BOO-k your accommodations now, and we’ll see you next Wednesday “from the attic!”

09/09/2026

Minette Chapman Duffy
FEBRUARY 20, 1882 – OCTOBER 1, 1951

Originally from Tennessee, Minette Chapman Duffy moved to New Bern in 1907 as the young bride of Dr. Richard Duffy. Her contributions to New Bern are truly historic and she is responsible for the preservation of much of New Bern's history.

Mrs. Duffy organized the first meeting of the New Bern Historical Society in her home in 1923. On June 11, 1929, the Society, under her leadership, hosted the New Bern Pageant. The pageant was a celebration of New Bern's heritage, and included a reception for the Governor, a parade with historical floats, the first homes tour on record in New Bern, a tea party, a pageant in Kafer Park, and to close the celebration a grand ball with guests from Bern, Switzerland.

About this same time the idea of reconstructing Tryon Palace arose for what Our State magazine later said: “Of all the unlikely ideas presented to North Carolinians, this seemed at the time the wildest.” Tryon Palace reconstruction involved the purchase of numerous private homes and businesses, the re-routing of a highway that ran in front of the property, and a considerable, presumably public, expense for its construction and maintenance.

In the middle of the Great Depression Minette sought a major public expenditure for which many thought was a ridiculous idea. Several New Bern city officials belittled the proposal saying “Nobody will come to see an old house.”

Although Minette died before this project’s completion, we know she would be proud that her “passion” brings more than 100,000 visitors to New Bern each year.

Minette also made other historical contributions to the community and state. She secured a copy of the multi-volume History of the De Graffenried Family (Swiss founders of New Bern) for the local public library. She pushed for the preservation of the historic Stanly House, which was converted into our public library in 1935 and to rebuild Judge William Gaston’s law office.

To learn about her contributions, as well as other historic figures, join us for a trolley tour. Tickets are available at NewBernTours.com

09/08/2026

This Romanesque Revival building, known as City Hall, is the only one of its kind in this area and its architectural and historical significance have merited its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although first designed without a tower or clock, changes came soon afterward to incorporate one. James Knox Taylor designed the clock tower as it appears today, including the installation of a large Seth Thomas four-face clock.

Join us for a trolley tour for more interesting history!

NewBernTours.com



Aerial Photo by Ben Lindemann Photography

09/05/2026

Shabbat Shalom!

Temple B'nai Sholem is among the more than 200 churches and religious organizations in and around New Bern.

There has been a Jewish presence in New Bern since the mid 1700's. In 1877 the United Hebrews of New Bern purchased land for a Jewish Cemetery located next to the National Cemetery.

In 1894 the Congregation purchased land at 505 Middle Street and in 1907 hired local architect Herbert Woodley Simpson to design a neo-classical styled temple. The synagogue was completed for the sum of $4,000 and took only 4 months to complete. On August 31, 1908, the lights were turned on and the first service, a wedding, was held.

Post Credit: New Bern Historical Society

09/05/2026

On September 5, 1802, political rivals John Stanly and Richard Dobbs Spaight, both armed with smooth-bore flintlock pistols, took deliberate aim at each other and fired. It was 5:30 p.m., and the pair were positioned behind the Masonic Lodge in New Bern. Approximately 300 spectators crowded around.

After three rounds of loading and firing, only Stanly’s coat had been hit. Bystanders begged the men to stop, but Spaight’s supporters urged him on. The gentlemen reloaded and aimed again. On the fourth discharge, Spaight fell, having been struck by the bullet in his side. He died the next day.

The confrontation came after the men exchanged two years of personal attacks through newspapers, handbills and street corner oratory. Their public bickering reached its climax when Spaight released a flier calling Stanly “a liar and scoundrel,” insults which prompted the duel.

Spaight’s death outraged his friends and family, who sought to have Stanly tried for murder. Though Gov. Benjamin Williams pardoned Stanly, the General Assembly responded by passing a law that prevented duel participants from holding public office and hit them with a hefty fine. Most duels moved out-of-state as a result.

Note: Richard Dobbs Spaight signed the US Constitution and served as Governor of North Carolina 1792-1795. He was running for a seat in the US Senate at the time of his death.

09/02/2026

Wow, this is a great then & now comparison!

Thanks New Bern Historical Society for your preservation of these fabulous historic photos.

Here’s a fun then-and-now image “from the attic!”

Before we had Franklin’s Antique store, this was Foodland Grocery Store on East Front Street near Union Point Park.

We want to hear YOUR memories - and we can all wish for the food prices of that era!

Stock up on the necessities, and see you next week “from the attic!”

08/30/2026

Good Sunday Morning to you! It’s time for church…

St. Peter's A.M.E. Zion Church
National Register of Historic Places
Historic Downtown New Bern

St. Peter's current location was built in 1923 to replace the building lost to the Great Fire of 1922. It began as Andrew's Chapel and was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1863, a New Haven, Connecticut church sent Reverend James Walker Hood to New Bern as a missionary. He convinced the members of the St. Andrew's Chapel to become a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and St. Peter's was established.

The first AME Zion Church in the south, and their Mother Church, St. Peter's stands proud today on Queen Street opposite Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Reverend Hood went on to become a Bishop in the church and was a founder of Livingstone College, a black college located near Salisbury, North Carolina.

08/28/2026

Happy Birthday Pepsi Cola!

Pepsi's official brand birthday is August 28th, marking the day in 1898 when Caleb Bradham renamed his original invention, "Brad's Drink," to "Pepsi-Cola"

Hop on the trolley for more fun history about Caleb Bradham, see his home, find out about how the logo came to be, and then grab a Pepsi and some popcorn at the Birthplace of Pepsi on the corner of Middle and Po***ck St.

NewBernTours.com

08/26/2026

On this date, August 26, 1767, the first brick is laid in the construction of Tryon Palace.

Governor William Tryon spent his first years in North Carolina in Brunswick, residing in his predecessor’s house but his intention was always to establish a permanent capital in New Bern, and he even brought his own architect, John Hawks, to build it for him. It was an elaborate structure – many consider it the finest building in the colonies – and was to serve as both his home and his governmental headquarters. The cost was controversial and helped build up the trouble that would culminate in the Regulator Rebellion.

Photo from New Bern’s own Ben Lindemann Photography 📸

08/25/2026

Trolley Tour + Birthplace of Pepsi = Perfect Afternoon

Join us for a tour, then get a Pepsi & Popcorn at The Birthplace of Pepsi…make it a great day!

NewBernTours.com