Lunch and Learn: New Bern Then & Now

New Bern Then and Now
Middle Street in 1901 and Middle Street in 2017

Images of “Used to Be” from the New Bern Historical Society Collection
Lunch & Learn on May 9 at 11:30am

You’ve heard it, “used to be”. Captain Rattys used to be Duffy’s Drug Store, Morgan’s used to be True Tread Tires, First Citizens Bank sits where used to be the Hotel Queen Anne.  The New Bern Historical Society’s Lunch & Learn at the Chelsea on May 9th, will reveal past and current status of more than 20 New Bern landmarks.  Curator Jim Hodges has scoured the New Bern Historical Society collection to share with you these wonderful images from our past.  In some cases, the buildings have been carefully renovated and saved in their original condition.  In others they have been saved and re-purposed, while sometimes they are simply lost.  In any case, you will be fascinated by these historic images.

Curator Jim Hodges was reared in New Bern, matriculated to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a post graduate dental degree. After satisfying a military commitment and enjoying several years of international travel, Jim returned to New Bern and practiced dentistry until his retirement in 2012. His current life chapter involves his passion for New Bern and its rich history as a member of the Historical Society and the Tryon Palace Foundation Board of Directors.  As the volunteer Curator of the New Bern Historical Society he spends his days maintaining, conserving and finding ways to share the collection.

Lunch & Learn starts at 11:30 a.m. at The Chelsea Restaurant, 335 Middle Street, New Bern. The cost is $18 for Historical Society members and $20 for non-members; lunch is included. Advance reservations must be made by calling the New Bern Historical Society at 252-638-8558, or can be ordered at www.NewBernHistorical.org/tickets. Lunch choices are Beef Tenderloin Shoulder with Horseradish Barbecue, or Rosemary Chicken; both served with Tomato and Parmesan Risotto, Sautéed Zucchini and Squash.

Board President Joe Hunt reminds, “This season Lunch & Learn presentations have all sold out, so be sure to make your reservations early!”

The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education.  Offices are located in the historic Attmore-Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern.  For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go NewBernHistorical.org or Facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.

Submitted by: Kathy Morrison, New Bern Historical Society