Heritage Homes Tour Celebrates Five Historic Neighborhoods

David S. Congdon House
David S. Congdon House

April 12 & 13, 2019

New Bern’s history is a story of remarkable strength and resilience. We will not let Hurricane Florence rewrite that history! On April 12 & 13 the New Bern Historical Society invites you to celebrate New Bern’s extraordinary heritage and beauty with an exciting new homes tour featuring some of the finest properties in five historic neighborhoods: Downtown, Dryborough, Riverside, DeGraffenried Park, and Ghent. Visitors will be invited to tour 18 historic properties over the two days: 15 homes, including two with renovations in progress, one public building, and three gardens.

Executive Director Mickey Miller is excited about showcasing the character and diversity of New Bern’s past. “New Bern’s charm is not contained to just the downtown. We are a “community of communities;” each of our historic neighborhoods has a unique character, a different story, and a distinct sense of place. While many folks are still rebuilding and repairing after Florence, New Bern needs this event to celebrate our remarkable ability to move forward.

Guests are invited to take a break during the tour at the Garden Party Pavilion behind the Attmore-Oliver House. There you’ll enjoy refreshments, live music and visit with historic characters – all part of your ticket! Music will be provided by Simon Spalding, the DownEast Dulcimers, The Duzan Duo and Jim and Kathy Kohler. Master gardeners will present a special heritage garden demonstration, and food trucks along the route will offer lunches to help guest maximize their tour schedules.

Tickets will be available March 6, at New Bern Historical Society office at 511 Broad Street 252-638-8558 and online at NewBernHistorical.org/tickets. They will be available mid-March at Mitchell Hardware on Craven Street, the Bank of the Arts on Middle Street. Harris Teeter on MLK Blvd and in Carolina Colours will carry tickets beginning March 21. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour, and $15 for active duty military, students, and those in groups of 10 or larger.

Premier Sponsor for Heritage Homes Tour is Neuse River Region Association of Realtors which includes Century 21 Zaytoun-Raines, Neuse Realty, Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith, Trent River Realty and Keller Williams Realty. Media sponsors are WCTI 12, Public Radio East, the New Bern Sun Journal and Beach, Boogie & Blues.

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, Public Relations, New Bern Historical Society