KUDOS to the New Bern Historical Society

If you were in the downtown over the week-end you would have noticed how many people were on the streets. Numerous activities including reenactments were held downtown and at the New Bern Battlefield to mark the 150^th Anniversary of the Battle of New
Bern which took place March 14, 1862.

Thunder in the East, the Civil War in Eastern North Carolina: a Sesquicentennial Symposium, hosted by the New Bern Historical Society and held in the NC History Center, was well attended and the speakers were excellent. Especially nice was the reception Friday evening at the Attmore Oliver House that provided the opportunity to meet the many presenters prior to the Saturday meeting.  Listening to 89 year old key note speaker, Ed Bearrs, a noted Civil War Historian was the highlight of the day. He spoke on the Civil War with a focus on Eastern  North Carolina. Mr. Bearrs played a key role in assisting the Historical Society acquire the Battlefield site in the 1990’s.

I never cease to be amazed at New Bern’s rich and colorful history and appreciate all those who worked so hard to bring this rich  event filled week-end to fruition.


Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Special thanks to Wendy Card, New Bern Now

Thank you Wendy for helping us create our blog. As we attempt to absorb all the technical challenges that go with creating a blog and be in tune with social media to get the word out on Swiss Bear, Mumfest and other downtown happenings, you have been incredibly helpful. For those who aren’t familiar with Wendy’s website http://www.newbernnow.com/ and blog newbernnow.blogspot.com, visit often for an incredible amount of information on New Bern…where to shop, what’s going on around town, where to dine, plus lots more.  

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Danielle Glynn

Downtown ARTWALK Friday, March 9, 5 - 8 pm

Downtown’s ARTWALK is a great way to enjoy the work of so many fine artists and have an enjoyable evening absorbing the ambience of downtown, attending receptions, ambling along the streets, meeting and greeting friends and acquaintances, browsing through the many shops and dining in one of the many fine restaurants.

The Bank of the Arts features the 11^th Annual Craven County Schools student art exhibit and opening reception with pianist Dayton Vesper; MJs Raw Bar & Grill displays abstract paintings by Lisa Bisbee; New Bern ArtWorks & Co. reception kicks off an exhibit by Eric McRay, Not Just Pretty Pictures; Raleigh artist Dan Nelson’s oil paintings, Painting the Town - New Bern, will be at Carolina Creations; Mimi Dixon’s work is on exhibit at the Next Chapter Bookstore, and Charles Hines work will be at the Farmer’s Market. Local authors Flora Ann Scearce will also be at the Next Chapter and Phil Bowie at the Farmer’s Market.

It’s hard to believe the changes that have taken place over the past 35 years…in the early days of the revitalization effort, we could only dream events like this  would actually become a reality. How fortunate we are to live in New Bern.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Mumfest 2012 Poster Design

Here’s a sneak preview of the poster/logo Lisa Bisbee designed for mumfest 2012. We love it and hope everyone does too. We up-dated our mumfest.com website with the new banner and she up-dated the graphic for the street banners and T-shirts. After reviewing several proposals, we chose hers…the charge was…design something classy that relates to our newest attraction

(the SeaFair art filled mega yacht) that exudes fun and festivity with an explosion of color.  We think she met the challenge and then some….what do you think!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

City aldermen approve outdoor alcohol permits

Thanks to Sabrina, patrons of the downtown restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages can now elect to have glass of wine or beer with their meal if they chose to sit at one of the tables in front of several of the restaurants on the sidewalk. The amended and/or new ordinances also allow nonprofits to obtain permits to sell/serve alcoholic beverages at fundraising events held on public land if they meet all the requirements.

We appreciate and thank the Board of Aldermen for passing the ordinances. New Bern’s downtown revitalization required re-structuring the downtown economy to be successful and tourism was seen as the industry that could be the key, in addition to developing water related recreational opportunities. Offering amenities, like being able to enjoy dining outside with the same amenities as patrons have inside the restaurant, adds to the ambience and warm hospitality that attracts visitors and residents to our downtown. Nonprofit organizations may be willing to sponsor concerts and other events that can generate funds  through beverage and gate fees to attract people to event and generate enough in proceeds to make the effort worthwhile.

Your thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Plans for Mumfest 2012

Plans for mumfest 2012 (October 13 – 14) are well underway with new attractions and old favorites. We will keep everyone updated on mumfest happenings as they are finalized. Our newest venue is the mega 228' yacht SeaFair, filled with three decks of art from local area, national and international artists. The yacht will be moored at the Hilton Marina for the festival week-end, arriving October 10.  Go to www.expoships.com for more information. Their calendar does not include mumfest yet, but should be posted within the next month or so.

So far, everyone we’ve talked to is excited about this as a new venue and feel it will be a great addition to the many other venues at the festival. We would like to hear from artists if they will consider participating as a vendor and if people will be willing to pay a nominal admission fee to tour through the yacht.

More details will be posted as we go through the planning process.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Really Great News

We just received confirmation from the NC Department of Commerce, the two downtown New Bern projects submitted January 6 through the City for a $100,000 Main Street Solutions grant are being funded. Swiss Bear and the City Planning staff worked with Haroldson Properties and the Craven Arts Council submitting a grant request for expansion of the retail space in the Bank of the Arts to increase revenues and promote the work of local artists and renovation of the old Pak A Sak supermarket for use as a wholesale furniture outlet. The Main Street Solutions Fund (MSSF), a reimbursable matching grant program awards grants to eligible local governments for projects that strengthen the local economy by leveraging funds for small business development. The match for eligible projects, two non-state dollars for every dollar and requires the creation of one job for every $25,000. The City will monitor and administer the grant for the two recipients of the MSSF money.

We are thrilled the two projects met the qualifications and both will be great additions to the downtown business mix. 

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director