Tryon Palace

Tryon Palace

If you really want an adventure that will take up an entire day without a doubt consider taking a short trip to New Bern to visit historic Tryon Palace. It is truly a beautiful and captivating place.

Gardens and Landscapes of Tryon Palace

Stroll down our garden paths and step back into a bygone era. Tryon Palace features 16 acres of gardens and is the reconstructed colonial capitol of North Carolina. The Palace gardens were designed by noted landscape architect Morley Jeffers Williams in the 1950s and represent the formal garden style of 18th-century Britain.
Every fall, the formal parterres of the Maude Moore Latham Garden and the Gertrude Carraway Garden have elaborate displays of mums. Our spring display includes daffodils, tulips, and many other colorful flowers. The Kellenberger Garden reflects the colonial era with an arrangement of marigolds and celosia, which were popular in the 18th century, and cool-season vegetables are ready for winter in the Kitchen Garden.
Also included are individual gardens surrounding three historic houses - one with a formal lawn and camellia collection, town garden and swept yard/working garden. Three additional gardens reveal the splendor of the Victoria era.
The Mitchell Garden includes a diversity of native plants that are both beautiful and play an important role in the ecosystem. The plants selected survive both periods of flooding and dry soil, and provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife.

Historic Homes

 

Surrounding the Palace are several historic homes and buildings that help tell the story of life in historic New Bern, including the Dixon House, Stanly House, and the Hay House. The John Wright Stanly House (c. 1780) reflects the wealth of its owner, whose merchant ships raided British vessels to aid the American cause during the Revolutionary War. In addition to the historic homes is North Carolina’s first publicly-chartered school (c. 1766). The Academy Museum interprets life in New Bern during the Federal occupation, 1862-1865.

The Governors Palace

 

The centerpiece of our historic site was also the grandest public building in all the colonies. Royal Governor William Tryon and his family brought architect John Hawks from London to design and build the Georgian-style structure. Completed in 1770, Tryon Palace served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina and home to the Tryon family.
Tryon Palace was the site of the first sessions of the general assembly for the State of North Carolina following the revolution and housed the state governors until 1794. In 1798, fire destroyed the original Palace building. An extensive 30-year campaign to rebuild the Palace and restore the grounds was launched by the people of New Bern, state leaders, world craftsmen, and generous, dedicated citizens such as Mrs. James Edwin Latham. Their efforts led to the triumphal reopening of the Palace in 1959. Today, the Palace lives on as a testament to history, community and rebirth.

North Carolina History Center

 

The new North Carolina History Center has revolutionized the visitor encounter at the state’s premier historic site and sets a new standard for the museum experience. History Navigator tours using portable interactive devices add an exciting new dimension to our historic sites. Rotating exhibitions and the wide variety of interactive historical activities keep the experience fresh and exciting with each visit.

The Pepsi Family Center will transport you through time. The Regional History Museum takes you from the very formation of the coastline to the people who shaped the history of this region. The Duffy Exhibit Gallery, the Cullman Performance Hall, Lawson’s Landing: A Riverwalk Café, and the Museum Store complete the experience.
The North Carolina History Center is one of the “greenest” public buildings in the state. From permeable surface parking areas and restored wetlands to energy-efficient operations and maintenance – every aspect of development was initiated with our commitment to the stewardship of our historic landscape in mind.

More information on Tryon Palace and it's hours of operation, tours, and amenities can be found at The Official Website