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.

Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps - A Call For New Members

Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps

On Tuesday, Florence Wootten, a member of the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps came to our office inquiring if there was any possible way the Corps could  perform at the festival. She said, in 2005, Tryon Palace initiated  this new program to re-create a colonial fife and drum corps as musicians were an important part of the 18^th century military. Captain John F. West, New Bern Police Department, is an instructor and played a major role in organizing this new program now directed by Kim Bennett. The program and membership has grown in skill and reputation and the Corps play
at many events year round, in and out of the area.

Florence plays the fife and thought being able to perform in the festival would be the perfect way for the group to “show their colors” and recruit new members.  We agreed, and fortunately had an opening. They will perform in the Dance-arena area (parking area between the county administration building and the Sudan Temple) on Saturday, October 13^th at 3:30 p.m. We are excited to add them to the list of performers in this venue, a very popular festival attraction featuring local dance groups showcasing a broad range of talent in this community.

Anyone 10 and over can join the group. Musical experience is not a requirement, though helpful.  Festival-goers are invited to come and enjoy their performance. Corps members will be available following their performance to answer questions and encourage people to join. So if you’ve ever played in a band, or wanted to, or just want to have fun and make new friends, now is the time to consider joining the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum  Corps. This unique performing group  is one of Tryon Palaces’  most visible and popular programs.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director

Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps...on the move.

The Baxter Clock...a new lease on life

City Hall Clock Tower and
Baxter Street Clock Today

The ticking and chiming of a clock is both fascinating and mesmeric to a great many people. When a clock has the special attribute of being a very prominent feature and important landmark, it becomes a highly prized possession to the community. In New Bern we are fortunate to have two such clocks, the City Hall Clock Tower, visible for miles, serves as a symbol of city government and the Baxter Street Clock on Pollock Street.

The Baxter Street, now a public landmark, was built in 1920 by the Seth Thomas Company for the J.O. Baxter family who erected the clock in front of the Baxter Jewelry Store to advertise their business. The four faces were decorated with painted advertisements. In 1973, it was formally recognized as a significant historic asset when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

On May 9, 1977, disaster struck and the shock was felt throughout the state.

Excerpts from a letter written on May 10, 1977 by Dabney Coddington, then Curator of Education at Tryon Palace to Janet Seapher, a historian in the state’s Historic Preservation Section, Archives and History, provides a personal account and reaction….

Dear Janet:

I hate reporting things like this. The enclosed Sun Journal article covers it fully. The Baxter Street Clock was first knocked loose from its pedestal by a truck very early in the morning, it appears. In righting the clock the next day, you can see what happened. A comedy of accident and error, but one that has upset a number of people.

Della and Bunny Baxter are, as you may guess, quite stunned by the whole happening. The cast iron casing of the clock remains intact, and the upper parts of the workings were what spilled into the street. They have been collected and kept. A letter from you and A. & H. expressing sympathy and offering any advice on repair, would be most fitting. They were very proud of this landmark and I hope they will restore it, even with new modern workings inside. That block of Pollock Street really looks naked, believe me.

Wish I had better news.

For the next fourteen years, the ornamental paneled base stood as a constant reminder of the tragic accident and attempts to replace the clock by the Baxter family were unsuccessful.

In 1990, I contacted the Verdin firm in Ohio, a company founded in 1842 committed to producing the highest quality cast bronze clocks, bells and towers. They had the original patterns of the clock case and agreed to do the restoration project for $28,000. The Baxter family agreed to give Swiss Bear the clock  and remaining parts if we would could raise the funds to restore it. The City agreed to accept ownership and on-going maintenance if Swiss Bear raised all the funds and coordinated the project. We initiated a fundraising campaign, raised $28,000, coordinated the project and the Baxter Street Clock was again ticking away.

Dedication Ceremony 1991

On April 20, 1991, Swiss Bear transferred clock ownership formally to the City at a dedication ceremony with special guest Patricia Dorsey, NC Secretary of Cultural Resources.

Baxter Street Clock on
Pollock St. Today

Like so many of Swiss Bear’s projects, interested citizens rose to the challenge and their contributions gave this historic landmark a new lease on life.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

A Great Lady and Tryon Palace's Biggest Advocate



Carraway Garden at Tryon Palace



In the April 8 News & Observer, I read the article

Gertrude Sprague Carraway

Past Times by Teresa Leonard, a researcher who looks at yesteryear on the blog Past Times, blogs.newsobserver.com/pasttimes. In this column, she  related a 1966 interview with Gertrude Carraway, a famous New Bernian who was born and spent nearly all of her 96 years in New Bern, living in her childhood home on Broad Street.

I enjoyed reading the article immensely as I had the privilege of knowing Ms. Carraway. I was a great fan and admirer and the award I received that I am most proud of is the Gertrude Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation in 1990.

She was an outstanding person and was one of the driving forces for her work in the preservation and reconstruction of Tryon Palace. She played a key role in initiating a campaign to move NC 70, the Trent River Bridge and the numerous houses that have been built on the Palace site over the years. The Palace, built in 1767-70 to house Royal Governor William Tryon, had burned in the late 1770’s and only one of its wings remained. By 1959, the efforts of Ms. Carraway, the Kellenberger family and many other influential people paid off when the reconstructed Palace was opened and became New Bern’s crown jewel as a tourist attraction.

Other passions included membership in the Magellan Club of World Circumnavigation for going around the world twice; as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she became President General of the National DAR in 1953. In that position she inspired President Eisenhower to establish National Constitution Week. She was a prolific writer serving as the editor of the newspaper in New Bern from 1924-1937 and authored six books on North Carolina history, in addition to hundreds of free lance articles.

It was nice to be reminded of the positive impact this dynamic, great lady, who passed away in the 1990’s, made on this city, our state and nation’s history!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Another Jam Packed Week-end in Downtown New Bern

The annual Spring Historic Homes and Garden Tour, April 13 – 14,  offers the rare opportunity to tour through eleven of the finest historic homes in New Bern. Homeowners  graciously open their homes and gardens to the public from 10 – 4 on Friday and Saturday to benefit the New Bern Historical Society and New Bern Preservation Foundation. In addition to touring the interiors of the respective homes, patrons will learn about the architecture, renovations and other tidbits of information that enhance the tour.

In addition to historic homes, many of the downtown churches will be open, some with musical performances. Visitors can stop by the Hospitality Station at the Attmore Oliver House and refreshments at the Blades’ Veranda Café.

A reception for ticket holders will be held Friday, 4 – 7 pm at Carolina Creations on Pollock Street. Tickets for the Homes Tour, advance $15, active military and dependents $13, days of tour $20. Tickets are good for both days. Go to newbernhistorical.org for more information or call 252-638-8558.

Tryon Palace gardens will be open free to the public 9 am to 6 pm both days. Tours of the Palace and historic buildings require a ticket. The annual Heritage Sale will be held on the grounds during the tour along with another annual treat…Tryon Palace Lover’s Week-end (held in conjunction with the Homes Tour) has a special theme, “Craven County Celebrates 300 Years of Gardens”.

NC History Center -  Unity Ball on Saturday begins at 7 pm celebrating 300 years of shared history and includes a silent auction, entertainment by the Secret Agent Band and guest speaker Freddie Parker, NC Central University. Tickets, $50 per person can be purchased at the History Center…proceeds benefit African-American programming at Tryon Palace. Call 252-639-3592 for more information.

For arts sake and just plain fun…Bear Hands Art Factory & Framing presents “Canvass Connections from 7 – 9 pm on Saturday. For a $35 fee, participants will paint a picture of a wine bottle and glass entitled “End of Day”. No experience is needed, just bring a refreshment and beverage. In addition to a great time you can take home your very own creation.

For a good cause…on Saturday, proceeds from a raffle (a statewide project) held in front of the Richardson Law firm on Pollock Street go to the maintenance of Camp Dogwood for the Blind located on Lake Norman at Sherrils Ford.  For $1 a ticket or 12 tickets for $10, the winner has a choice of a Jeep Liberty, Dodge Ram pickup, Dodge Caravan or Chrysler 200.

For music lovers…the Down East Folk Arts Society presents Tumbledown House, Friday at 8 pm at the Trent River Coffee Company on Craven Street.

The Twin River Lions Club is sponsoring a concert…Milton Bullock, known as the Golden Platter that also features Mary Tate at the New Bern Civic, 8 pm. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door . This fundraising event also includes a raffle and broom sales.

Ensemble Vermillion, a Baroque Celebration of the Music of Bach and Leclair is being held at the History Center. Concert begins at 3 pm in the Cullman Performance Hall…tickets $20 adults, $15 Council of Friends and $5 for students.

Last but not least…The Cedar Grove Cemetery Tour at 4 pm, Saturday. The tours are a collaborative effort of the Earl of Craven Chapter of Questers International and the New Bern Historical Society (NBHS). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at NBHS or the Cemetery gate on Queen Street.

Enjoy your week-end!

Susan Moffat Thomas