By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The New Bern Historical Society is celebrating their 100 year anniversary with an extraordinary free exhibit, generously supported by Tryon Palace, at the Duffy Gallery in the North Carolina History Center, opening April 22nd.
The Society, which first began in 1923 with a small group of nineteen interested individuals has now grown to more than 1200 members with “a mission to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education.”
The exhibit, entitled “Through the Looking Glass, A Journey with the Storytellers,” is designed to be a thorough exploration of not just the Historical Society, but the history of New Bern itself, taking a deep dive into the stories of diverse individuals, both ordinary and extraordinary.
Executive Director, Mickey Miller explains: “After working on this project for over two years, we are thrilled to be able to share it with everyone. This is no ordinary museum exhibit – it will take you on a fascinating multi-dimensional journey with storytellers through not only our 100 years, but also from New Bern’s very beginnings.”
Interestingly, the Historical Society recruited the professional expertise of Design Dimensions, a Triangle based graphic design firm, that created the exhibit to emulate the shape of a clock. Harkening back to our City Hall clock, the Baxter clock, and clocks in our mother city, Bern, Switzerland—and allowing visitors to move from one display to another on a journey through time.
Under the guidance of Jim Hodges, Curator for the Historical Society, the content of the displays includes an impressive array of New Bern treasures. “It’s a remarkable collection of images and artifacts and a good deal of it has not been seen by the public. This exhibit celebrates the history of New Bern and the rich lives of diverse and fascinating people,” says Jim Hodges.
Kathy Morrison, 1st Vice President, says, “We want to extend a welcome to everyone to come and visit our ‘Journey with the Storytellers’ exhibit which will be open through January 5, 2024. There are so many fascinating and engaging stories in New Bern’s history. We worked diligently to gather this collection and know you’ll find something new. Let us know your stories so we continue to share and learn.”
The exhibit is designed to be experiential, engaging and enlightening—an aggregate of stories woven together in order to reveal the history of New Bern and its people as they have survived epidemics, wars, depressions, booms and busts.
The journey begins with the opening exhibit that describes the “founding” of New Bern in 1710 by Christophe de Graffenreid, after its habitation by indigenous people and other European settlers. In the 18th century, New Bern’s citizens faced many challenges as they adjusted to their new environment, but toward the end of the century began to enjoy prosperity and stability. The mid-19th century brought an era of hope—due to many factors, including the thriving naval stores and lumber industries—and well-established leadership, both black and white.
Stories during these early eras come from a great variety of sources, and the exhibit highlights explorer John Lawson, the Tuscarora Indians, Rev. James Reed of Christ Episcopal Church, printer James Davis, Judge William Gaston, Mayor John D. Whitford, and former slave William Henry Singleton, amongst others. Eyewitness reports by John Oliver, who recorded his account of the Spaight-Stanly Duel in 1802, and descriptions of the Civil War Battle of New Bern from twelve year-old Sarah Elizabeth Wood are particularly fascinating.
The exhibit identifies the New Bern Historical Society Founders, including their portraits: Minnette Chapman Duffy, who organized the first society meeting on April 19, 1923 and Judge Romulus Armistead Nunn, first president of the Society, along with other charter members numbering a total of 40.
But times were changing. Cherry Point Air Station was built; technology and babies were booming. The society purchased the Attmore-Oliver house in the mid-20th century, and there lived the famous “Miss Mary” Taylor Oliver and her dear friend, revered schoolteacher Miss Mollie Heath. The display includes a letter from Miss Gertrude Carraway, local historian, first Executive Director of Tryon Palace, and President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to Mr. John R. Taylor, President of the Historical Society expressing her support of the organization and their efforts in purchasing the Attmore-Oliver House.
The “Hallowed Ground” display explores the evolution of the New Bern Battlefield Park. Known as a cornerstone of heritage tourism in Craven County and the 1862 Battle of New Bern, the park includes a History Walk with interpretive panels to assist in placing the battle in its historical context, with guided and self-guided tours.
The waterways in New Bern have been instrumental in driving commerce, trade and travel, and define our city in its seafaring legacy. The “Crossroads and Connections” displays examine the contributions of maritime merchants William Hollister and Isaac Taylor as well as maps and drawings of the waterfront and downtown. Bridges, steamship lines, and the evolution of transportation are also explored.
“Standouts” is a particularly delightful display of individual talents, skills, abilities of gifts of New Bern residents. For example, “Brad’s Drink” Caleb Bradham, “Buggymobile” inventor Gilbert Waters, photographer Bayard Wootten, performer Jane Morgan, novelist Jules Gabriel Verne, merchant Isaac Taylor, lumbermen William and James B. Blades, Dr. Lula Disosway, and basketball pro Walt Belamy—and even a baseball autographed by both Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio! And there’s so many more to enjoy!
“Courage, Strength and Survival” remembers the difficult times: floods, fires, wars and epidemics; “New Bern Firsts” are presented as they were expressed by Gertrude Carraway, a great New Bern ambassador; and “Governors” reviews the history of political leadership, including the first female governor of North Carolina, Beverly Perdue.
“Drop Me A Line” is at the end of the journey at the center of the exhibit, and is comprised of a great number of historical post cards in a kinetic sculpture each capturing a piece of an individual’s story for a brief moment in local history.
Altogether, this momentous exhibit by the New Bern Historical Society seeks to engage its audience by taking a moment to stop and reflect on our collective past—and in turn to consider our own stories and contributions to our community today.
Schedule of Events
April 8
Battlefield Adventure Day • Battlefield Park • 1-4pm
April 19
100 Year Anniversary ofNew Bern Historical Society
April 22
New Bern Historical SocietyCentennial Birthday CelebrationAttmore-Oliver House Lawn • 1-3pm
April 22-January 5
Through the Looking Glass -A Journey with the Storytellers
A free exhibit at the Duffy Galleryin the NC History Center
May 12-13
Heritage Homes Tour • Historic Downtown & Riverside Districts
May 20
Volunteer & New Member Social • Attmore-Oliver House Lawn