New Bern...a unique American city with a Swiss city's armorial bearings

New Bern City Hall 
cast iron sculptures
over entry arches

Cast Iron Bear Sculpture

Swiss Flag & Coat of Arms.
Gift from City of Bern.
New Bern City Hall Courtroom

New Bern enjoys a rich, distinguished history, a city that is unique in that it adopted the armorial bearings and colors of Bern, Switzerland and the black bears.

Our city has always felt a close affinity with Bern, Switzerland, its namesake and its founding in 1710 by Christopher de Graffenried. In 1891, New Bern renewed its ties to Bern with and official visit to Bern by New Bern Mayor, Matthias E. Manley during  Bern’s seven hundredth anniversary. In 1896, representatives from the Council of Burgesses of Bern visited New Bern and presented the Mayor of New Bern with a Bernese banner that displayed the arms of the city and the date 1891, “ in remembrance of the celebration of that memorable anniversary and the birth of friendly relations between the two cities on this occasion”. At the same time, the Swiss minister to the United States offered the Swiss flag to the Mayor of New Bern in an elaborate celebration designed to honor Christoph von Graffenried. The city then adopted the armorial bearings and colors of Bern, including the red and black bears, thus giving rise to the nomenclature of “Bears” or “Bruins”, which is used by New Bern athletic teams and the designation daughter city.  

IN 1996, in remembrance of the 100^th Anniversary of that special occasion, a great celebration was held on April 13 on the 300 block of Pollock Street. John Sturman, Bern Bear Gifts chaired this City sponsored event. The festivities featured a flag raising with New Bern Mayor Tom Bayliss and Bern Mayor Dr. Klaus Baumgartner officiating. Also on hand for the ceremonies were Dr. Carlo Jagmetti, Swiss Ambassador to the U.S., Fred Jenny, Consul-General of Switzerland, Helmuth de Graffenried, President of the Swiss de Graffenried Association and his wife Blanche, long time friends of this city and a nearly 50-member delegation from Bern.  A concert by the 2d  Marine Aircraft Wing Band played both countries national anthem.

Many other official visits, personal exchanges with members of the de Graffenried family for celebrations and reunions have taken place over the years.  Significant among those events was the visit by the Mayor of Bern, the de Graffenried family and a Swiss contingent to attend our city’s 300^th anniversary celebration in 2010.

City Street Banners
funded with Muncipal
Service District tax money

The bond between the two Bern’s is strong and we are justly proud of this unique relationship. 

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director