Governor Tryon's Palace, with its kitchen and stable office, is the centerpiece. It is the grandest of our buildings and represents the earliest period that we interpret – the colonial era.

Close by are homes that were built after the Revolution and in the early decades of the 19th century. Each of these wonderful historic houses has tales to tell of the people and times that shaped them.

The George W. Dixon House, a fine example of neoclassical architecture, was constructed around 1826 - 1833, a period when New Bern was one of the state's largest cities. In 1835, the Dixon family's prosperity came to an end when a fire destroyed much of the downtown area, including Dixon's store and workshop. By 1837, New Bern and the nation were in the grip of an economic depression and Dixon's home was sold to pay his debts.

The John Wright Stanly House (c. 1780) is an outstanding example of Georgian architecture and served as home to several generations of a remarkable family. Members of the Stanly family took active roles on the stage of American history during the American Revolution, the early national period, and the Civil War. The house reflects the wealth of the owner, a powerful New Bern citizen whose merchant ships raided British vessels to aid the American cause during the Revolutionary War.

Visitors to the Robert Hay House (c. 1805) learn about its architectural features and the life of Robert Hay, a Scottish-born carriage-maker who moved to New Bern about 1800. Visitors to the Hay House will find members of the Hay family going about their daily chores. 

Rounding out the picture is the New Bern Academy Museum (c. 1766) which served as a school for nearly two centuries and now houses several exhibits, including one about the Civil War. The Academy is currently closed to the public.

In October 2010, the North Carolina History Center will open and serve as the gateway to Tryon Palace.