African American Heritage Tour
Tryon Palace’s African American Heritage Tour explores the history and heritage of more than 20 historic locations around downtown New Bern.
New Bern served as a haven for many African Americans during the early stages of the Civil War after Union forces occupied New Bern in 1862. The city’s African American population was the majority population in the area from 1800 to the 1930s. Conditions like this allowed the African American community to thrive in New Bern. Many of the city’s houses and public buildings were built by African American craftsmen, while the city was also home to some of the oldest African American congregations in the Southeast.
The Tryon Palace African American Heritage Tour will be offered March to November, with the exception of July and August. Tours begin at the Waystation, located on the corner of George and Pollock streets, at 2 p.m.