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Historic Edenton NC

Historic Edenton NC

If you want to take a walk down memory lane and relive a history you were not part of, a visit to Historic Edenton NC is all you need. Edenton is the second oldest town in the state of North Carolina. It is one of the country’s top cultural and commercial centers and it had a huge impact on American politics.

Established in the latter part of the 17th century, it was the first colonial capital in the state. With the second largest port in the 1600s, Edenton was a way out for a lot of slaves. They escaped through the famous Maritime Underground Railroad. This was before the Emancipation of slavery. The historic Edenton NC today takes you back in time to explore magnificent historic sites such as the Chowan County courthouse and Roanoke river. 

Anywhere you are at the Historic Edenton NC, history is all you can see. There are historic buildings and architecture all around, especially some of the oldest churches and houses in the state. There are many memorable sites around such as the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse, the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, and the Iredell House Homesite. There are stories to be discovered. 

Below, we have highlighted some of the most famous places to visit at Historic Edenton and what you will find there.

1767 Chowan County Courthouse

The Edenton’s courthouse in Chowan county was built in 1767 and it remains the most intact courthouse from the colonial era in America. Many distinguished people were part of those who sponsored the building of the courthouse.

One of them is Joseph Hewes, one of the signers of the declaration of independence. Since its construction, renowned American patriots such as Judge Samuel Johnston and Judge James Iredell heard cases in the Chowan County Courthouse.

1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse

The Roanoke River lighthouse was built in 1886. Its purpose was to help ships find their way around the Albemarle Sound. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Historic Edenton. Beautifully preserved over the years by the volunteer efforts of the community members, it now provides amazing activity for locals and tourists to enjoy. And you can check out the River all week. Tours are available all through the week.

The Lighthouse is housed permanently in Edenton Bay. Although it was originally located somewhere else on the Albemarle Sound screw-pilings which indicates the entrance to the river at Plymouth. There are not many screw-pile base buildings still standing in America and the Roanoke River Lighthouse is the oldest of such. The Lighthouse which was commissioned from 1887 to 1941

Penelope Barker House

Another unique site at the Historic Edenton NC is the Penelope Barker House. This magnificent mansion was built by Thomas Barker  in 1782. It was located on the waterfront. The Barkers were known for their outstanding work at Edenton. 

Thomas Barker’s wife, Penelope Barker is known for leading the historic Edenton Tea Party.  It was the first political action solely led by women back then in the Colonies. The rooms and halls in the Barker House contain these sands of time and you can live through them whenever you go to Historic Edenton. There are artifacts all around pointing to the history and origin of America.

Historic Edenton State Historic Site

The Historic Edenton State Historic Site is a state historic site based in  North Carolina. It gives tours of many homes and buildings in Edenton which take you back in time to the 18th century to the buildings that were there before America became the superpower that it is now. 

There are many antique buildings there such as the state’s oldest homes and churches. These houses offer a unique way for you to learn about North Carolina and about America itself. The Historic Edenton State Historic Site includes sites packed with memory such as St Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Iredell House and Cupola House. 

These buildings are monuments which symbolize memorable parts of America and especially North Carolina’s history. There are a lot of tours of the Historic Edenton State Historic Site available which provide opportunities for tourists to learn the history of Historic Edenton NC and the role the small town played in the history of North Carolina and America.   

Civil War Trail Sites

As a history lover, visiting the Civil War Trail Sites is one of the most exciting things you can do on your tour. This makes you understand that North Carolina played a huge role in the civil war. The St. Paul Episcopal Church, where they cast a cannon from the church bell in the 1860s, is one of the more memorable sites you can check out. The cannon still stays at Edenton Bell Battery at the Civil War Trail Sites.

There were a lot of battles and events that happened at these sites all throughout historic Edenton. All these helped shape the state of North Carolina and the South to what they are today. Some of these  Civil War Trail Sites include, the Battle of the Albemarle Sound on Edenton Harbor, and Harriet Jacobs’ famous escape from her slave masters via the Maritime Underground Railroad.

To have an in-depth understanding of what this town has been and how it has become what it is today, explore the Civil War Trail Sites at Historic Edenton NC 

Hope Plantation

Do you want a look into what the rural life of North Carolina looked like in the 1700s and 1800s? then a visit to Hope Plantation will satisfy you. The plantation was home to the governor of North Carolina from 1770-1818. It is just four miles west of Windsor NC and it’s one of the sites worth visiting at Historic Edenton.  It offers a unique look into the kind of vernacular architecture that was common in the days of Governor David Stone, the then governor of the state. 

Restored and made public since 1972, a visit to Historic Edenton is not complete without a visit to the Hope Plantation. 

History is a unique subject, one that we can never get tired of reviewing. Feasting our eyes on what our country was before it became what it is today. Pay a visit to the Historic Edenton NC, it is worth the trip. 

Interested in Exploring Historical Areas in Eastern North Carolina?

Then you don't want to miss out on our complete list of historic sites and other attractions here: The Historic Albemarle Trail.  Get Historical!

ENC Explorer
Author: ENC Explorer

After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.

This place is for Publicity

This place is for Publicity

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