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| Crepe Mytrle |
In the early to mid 1980’s, when downtown New Bern was still quite bleak in its appearance, there were many people who worked to improve its appearance through anti-litter and clean-up campaigns and plantings of trees and shrubs. It was a grass roots effort and the re-structuring of the downtown economy to expand tourism as a major industry led to many creative ideas.
One of the many committees organized was the New Bern Beautification Committee. The members represented numerous nonprofit organizations who were partners in the downtown revitalization effort. Its goal was to define ways to beautify the City that would encourage visitors to our City. Members of the committee: Mike Tiddy, Executive Vice President , New Bern Chamber; Jeanne Hunt, Chamber Conventions and Events Committee’ Joy Dosher, COC Marketing and Tourism Committee; Louise Harlow, President, New Bern Garden Club; Pat Faulkner, President, American Heart Association, Craven County Division; Harold Talton, President, Swiss Bear, Robert Stallings, Jr., Chairman, Craven County Tourism Development Authority; Kathy Beckwith, Executive Director, New Bern Historical Society; Susan Moffat, Executive Director, New Bern Preservation Foundation; Dabney Coddinton, Jr., Tryon Palace.
The Committee determined the City should encourage residents to plant an abundance of Crepe Myrtle trees and shrubs throughout the City so they would become a major point of interest…similar to Wilmington, NC known for its azaleas. With that in mind, the Committee petitioned the City to adopt a resolution to adopt the Crepe Myrtle as New Bern’s official shrub. The petition presented to the Board of Aldermen recognized the unusual beauty of the crepe myrtle; that many interested citizens determined the Crepe Myrtle would be an attraction if they were planted in abundance; the trees/shrubs should be strategically located to attract visitors much like Wilmington; and both the private and public sector should be encouraged to promote plantings throughout the City and County.
At the August 6, 1985 Board of Aldermen meeting, Crepe Myrtle was adopted as the official shrub of New Bern.
Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director
I have taken many, many pictures of the colorful Crepe Myrtles on Broad Street, some covered with Spanish Moss. It's nice to learn of their significant history and the impact of the NB Beautification Committee paired with the Board of Aldermen in establishing these as focal points to the downtown area.
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