Attractions Tips
Don't
feel embarrassed to wander residential streets or stop and gaze at any of
the houses in the historic district. Everyone appreciates your admiration.
On
the corner of Pollock and Middle streets is a cannon buried muzzle down. The
cannon was taken from the Revolutionary British ship-of-war Lady
Blessington following an engagement with a privateer owned by New Bern
patriot John Wright Stanly.
Much
has been done to preserve the area where the Battle of New Bern took
place in March 1862 during the Civil War. (The Union forces triumphed
and occupied New Bern for the rest of the war). The New Bern Historical
Society now owns 25 acres of the original battlefield, located near
Taberna, and preserves this acreage in its natural state. The
battleground's major annual event is Civil War Adventure Day, which is
March 14, for about 50 children ages 6 to 11 and their parents. The
youngsters participate in a small-scale reenactment and go on an
educational tour of the battlefield. A visitor center was dedicated in
January 2008 and will provide a base site for individual visitors and
tours such as school and civic groups. The battlefield is open to the
public, and $5 tours are available with a trained guide. In the
immediate future, battlefield tours will continue to be on a
call-and-reserve basis through the Historical Society. Call (252)
638-8558.