New Bern Academy, new parking lot parts of city history

The New Bern Academy was the first
school chartered in North Carolina

The New Bern Academy, located at the corner
of Johnson and Hancock streets is the oldest
public school building in North Carolina

The completed parking lot is at the corner of New and
Hancock streets adjacent to the Firemen's Museum.

The New Bern Academy, located at the corner of Johnson and Hancock streets, is the oldest public school building in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the United States. The construction of the city parking lot at the corner of New and Hancock streets, facilitated by Swiss Bear, played a major role in the opening of the New Bern Academy Museum to the public in December 1991 as a part of the Tryon Palace complex.

In 1764 the North Carolina legislature authorized the town of New Bern to build the New Bern Academy as a “school and residence for the school master.” The original building, destroyed by fire in 1795 led to the construction of the 1810 brick building. The success of the school led to the construction of a second building, New Bern Graded School or “Bell Building in 1884.

By 1899 the New Bern Academy became a part of the city school system and both buildings served as schools until 1971 when the New Bern school board decommissioned the buildings and they were no longer used as schools. Because of its rich past and impressive structure, the New Bern Academy Historical Commission was created by the legislature in 1975. The Commission was charged with preserving the school’s history and the original building.

Vacant and in need of restoration, dedicated volunteers raised grant funds and contributions and the building was renovated in the 1980’s. Recognizing it as another opportunity to relate the history of New Bern and Craven County, the Tryon Palace Commission knew adequate visitor parking was vital to its success.

In February 1987, recognizing the proposed use of the building would add to the mix of attractions and enhance tourism and the downtown revitalization effort, Swiss Bear chairman Harold Talton developed a strategy, embraced by the City and County, to acquire the New Bern Garment Company property at the corner of New and Hancock Street, owned by John Carver, that was for sale. The property could serve as a large City public parking lot for visitors to the New Bern Academy, the Firemen’s Museum and downtown shoppers and employees.

The Swiss Bear board authorized Harold to look into the feasibility of and to offer to purchase property near Simmons Street and Trent Boulevard, if zoning on that parcel of land permitted the operation of a garment factory. This property would be traded for the property at New and Hancock Street.

It was a complicated process. Zoning of that property was required prior to the purchase and an option on one parcel was necessary to secure the site. With the support of the County Commissioners and Board of Aldermen, in April 1987, Swiss Bear signed an option on the old Armstrong Wholesale Grocery building to purchase and trade the property to John Carver to relocate and house the New Bern Garment Company.

Swiss Bear wrote and acquired $75,000 in grant commitments from the Kellenberger Historical Foundation and Craven County Tourism Development Authority which covered 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

By May 1987, options on both properties were signed and on June 23, the Board of Aldermen approved Swiss Bear’s request to rezone the Armstrong parcel for use as a garment factory.

In early February 1988, closings on the two properties took place. In addition to the $75,000 in grant monies, Swiss Bear borrowed $75,000 to complete the transaction. The City agreed to pay monthly interest fees on the loan until it was able to purchase the property. In January 1990, Swiss Bear transferred the deed to the City and Swiss Bear was reimbursed for the $75,000 loan. The City then applied and received grant funds from the Kellenberger Historical Foundation to demolish the garment factory building and develop the parking lot.

In December 1990, the New Bern Academy Museum opened as a part of the Tryon Palace complex.

The Kellenberger Historical Foundation was created in 1978 by philanthropist May Gordon Latham Kellenberger, who served as chairman of the Tryon Palace Commission for twenty-seven years and contributed her time and assistance to a number of public endeavors. The purpose of the Foundation was to aid in the preservation of significant structures in New Bern and Craven County, including the Tryon Palace complex.

The Foundation was/is a valuable asset to this community and Tryon Palace. It played a major role in providing funding for major projects that made the revitalization of the downtown historic district possible.