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Plan Your Visit

Helpful Guidelines For School Groups

In order to make the visit to Tryon Palace an interesting and pleasant experience, we ask that you observe these guidelines.

All tours begin with an informative orientation video. Tours are guided by costumed interpreters. Large groups are always split into smaller groups of 25 people or less.

The furnishings of Tryon Palace and the other historic sites are several hundred years old and must be treated with great care. We ask that they not be touched by students or adults.

Photography is permitted in the gardens and in the Pepsi Family Center, but not inside galleries and historic homes.

Thank you for not smoking inside the homes.

Food, beverages and gum are not allowed inside the galleries and historic homes.

Please turn off your cell phone and History Navigator devices when touring inside the buildings.

Please stand on the visitor side of the stanchions.

Only pencils may be used for note taking during programs.

It is recommended that visitors wear soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothes appropriate for weather conditions.

Strollers may be parked in the covered walkways by the Governor’s Palace, at the front entrance of buildings, or in the North Carolina History Center.

Wheelchairs are available in the North Carolina History Center. The following first-floor areas are accessible: Governor’s Palace, Kitchen Office, Stable Office, Blacksmith Shop, and the Museum Store at the North Carolina History Center. The gardens are accessible to all visitors, but surfaces may be uneven.

Please call ahead to arrange special tours for the hearing- or visually-impaired.

Restrooms with changing tables are located in the North Carolina History Center, the Waystation, and next to the Stable Office.

Beverage vending machines are adjacent to the restrooms near the Stable Office.

Tryon Palace offers many free events throughout the year, so be sure to check the calendar frequently. Tryon Palace also offers discounts for senior adults (62+), military families, AAA members, college students and group tours.


Emergency Cancellation Of Tour

TELEPHONE: 252-639-3524 or 1-800-767-1560
If for any reason your tour has to be cancelled, please notify us as soon as possible. We may have hired additional personnel and need to adjust our schedule. We hope you enjoy your tour, and we welcome your comments!


Scheduled Tour Hours

January & February
During the months of January and February, The Palace tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the hour and half-hour until the last tour at 4:00 p.m. The Kitchen Office and Blacksmith Shop will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. The Dixon, Stanly, and Hay Houses will have guided tours beginning at 10:00 a.m., with tours being offered hourly until 4:00 p.m. The North Carolina History Center will continue with normal operating hours.

Monday through Saturday
Tryon Palace Visitor Center located in the North Carolina History Center (ticket sales and information) 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daily tours of the Palace begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:00 p.m.). Galleries and tour buildings are open until 5:00 p.m.

Sunday
Tryon Palace Visitor Center located in the North Carolina History Center (ticket sales and information) 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daily tours of the Palace begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:00 p.m.). Galleries and tour buildings are open until 5:00 p.m.

We are closed Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25, 26, and January 1.

In addition, a number of special events are scheduled throughout the year. For more information, contact the Group Services Coordinator at karen.pierson@ncdcr.gov or 252-639-3524 or 1-800-767-1560.


School Group Reservations

Reservations for school tour groups of 10 or more are essential to ensure proper service and our special group discount. Requests for tours are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Schedule your tour for early autumn, January, February or the summer months to avoid our busiest times.

The Gardens & Galleries, Governors and Time Travelers Pass tickets are valid for 1 day only. A second day (within a 7-day period) may be added for an additional $2 per adult, $1 per student. Tickets for all other programs are valid only for the program booked, and cannot be extended to include additional days or activities.

Our Group Services Coordinator will be happy to provide you with all the information you need to plan a successful trip. For detailed tour and itinerary information, or to schedule your tour, please contact:

Group Services Coordinator
karen.pierson@ncdcr.gov
800-767-1560 or 252-639-3524

or write to:
Tryon Palace Group Services
PO Box 1007
New Bern, NC 28563

Planning Ahead

Look for your tour confirmation materials via email 1-2 days after booking your tour. Please verify the date, time, and details of your visit. These materials will also provide information on parking, payment, and other essentials.

We ask that you collect all money in advance and have one person responsible for presenting your payment and obtaining your passes upon arrival. Student groups should have one chaperone for every ten children; chaperones are expected to remain with and help supervise their group. If you find you must make changes to your schedule, please notify the Group Services Coordinator as soon as possible.

Tryon Palace has free on-site parking that can accommodate large buses, and our security staff will work closely with your bus drivers to identify the safest off-loading area for your group. Tryon Palace has a Museum Store with items for adults and children, beverage vending machines on-site, and a café in the North Carolina History Center. Box lunches and “grab bags” are available upon request; however, there is no indoor eating space for tour groups. Ask the Group Services Coordinator for additional details.

The Day of Your Visit

Most tours involve walking and being outside; please dress appropriately. This includes soft-soled, comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for changing weather conditions. Allow your school group plenty of travel time. Late arrivals may not be able to see everything normally included in the tour. Bring your confirmation materials with you. Check in at the Ticket Desk upon your arrival to obtain tickets and begin your tour. Have a fun visit!

Report cancellations or changes in your arrival time immediately to the Group Sales Coordinator.


Tour Rates

Note: For student groups, teachers receive one complimentary ticket for every ten students. Additional adult tickets may be purchased at the adult rates. For adult groups, a complimentary ticket is given for the tour leader and the bus driver.

Complimentary Tickets

Preschooler
Any child not in school and under five.

(Rates and hours are subject to change, please call to verify.)


Tour Options

Governor’s Pass

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
SCHEDULE: Available year-round
ADMISSION FEE: $4 per student; $12 per adult (including chaperones)

Explore more than 300 years of North Carolina history with the Governor’s Pass! Step into the past by touring Tryon Palace’s historic and reconstructed buildings. Interact with costumed interpreters as they bring early American history to life. Then get a 21st-century experience with the North Carolina History Center’s state-of-the-art exhibits and galleries. This comprehensive pass allows you to experience all that Tryon Palace has to offer as well as the rich history of New Bern and eastern North Carolina.

Two-Day Pass

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
SCHEDULE: Available year-round
ADMISSION FEE: $6 per student; $15 per adult (including chaperones)

Explore more than 300 years of North Carolina history with the Governor’s Pass! Step into the past by touring Tryon Palace’s historic and reconstructed buildings. Interact with costumed interpreters as they bring early American history to life. Then get a 21st-century experience with the North Carolina History Center’s state-of-the-art exhibits and galleries. This comprehensive pass allows you to experience all that Tryon Palace has to offer as well as the rich history of New Bern and eastern North Carolina.

Galleries Pass

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
SCHEDULE: Available year-round
ADMISSION FEE: $4 per student; $12 per adult (including chaperones)

For those groups who want to experience the atmosphere of Tryon Palace but not go on a guided tour, the Gardens & Galleries Pass is an ideal option. You begin your visit in the North Carolina History Center, a 60,000-square-foot museum beautifully situated on the Trent River. Discover the history of coastal North Carolina in the Regional History Museum. In the Pepsi Family Center, step back into 1835 and explore an interactive coastal village. Visit the Duffy Gallery to see our latest exhibits. And explore our sixteen acres of magnificent colonial revival and waterfront gardens. It's the best of both the past and the present!

North Carolina Begins Here

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: K-12
SCHEDULE: Available January-November
ADMISSION FEE: $3 per student; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

See where the state of North Carolina began as you tour the reconstructed Palace, home to royal governors and North Carolina’s first capitol. Meet the servants in the Kitchen and Stable Offices. Visit the blacksmith’s shop, and stroll outside to see the nationally-acclaimed gardens. You may even be invited to join in a colonial game!

A Day in the Life: 19th-Century New Bern

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: 3rd-8th
CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 90 students per time slot
SCHEDULE: Available March - November at 10 a.m.
ADMISSION FEE: $6 per student; $15 per adult (including chaperones)

Although no longer the capitol of North Carolina, New Bern remained a bustling port into the 19th century, and was the state’s largest town until the 1830s. Come experience what life was like for the town’s residents in a truly unique way. Tour the Regional History Museum to understand the changes taking place in 19th-century New Bern. In the Pepsi Family Center, help the town prosper by working at the wharves, in a turpentine distillery, and local businesses. Step back into 1835 and visit the home of Robert Hay and his family as you help them with their daily chores. Learn about the past by living it!

Life in an Occupied Town

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVEL: 8th (Please inquire on other grades.)
CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 60 (including students, teachers, and chaperones)
SCHEDULE: Starting March 2012, every Wednesday in March and October at 9:30 a.m. Tour must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
DURATION: 2 hours
ADMISSION FEE: $3 per student; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

New Bern fell to Union forces in March 1862 and, although the Confederacy made several attempts to re-capture it, the city remained in Union hands throughout the remainder of the war. Learn about the Civil War in this special interactive program that examines life in an occupied town. Experience what it was like to be a solider away from home during wartime, to have your town occupied by your enemies, or to gain freedom for the first time in your life. For more information on the program and supplemental educational materials, please visit The N.C. Civil War Experience.

Young Sprouts

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: 2nd-3rd
CLASS SIZE LIMIT: 50 students per time slot
SCHEDULE: March - May and September - November at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
ADMISSION FEE: $3 per student; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

The Tryon Palace gardens become your outdoor classroom as you learn about history, math, and science. Students join in activities that include plant science, garden design, and garden history. Some of the program’s learning activities include collecting and identifying plants, using a compass, and reading maps and garden plans. Students will receive materials to plant a seed to take back with them. Tour must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

All About Tea

GROUP SIZE LIMIT: 20
SCHEDULE: January - November
ADMISSION FEE: $25

Explore the history of tea drinking and etiquette in a behind-the-scenes tour of Tryon Palace. Discover the origins of tea, when it was introduced to the western world, and its changing role in society. Become familiar with the evolving style of tea in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Learn how tea played a role in politics and how we arrived at the southern tradition of drinking iced tea. Enjoy a light 21st-century tea at the end of your tour. Tour must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

Architectural Downtown Walking Tour

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
SCHEDULE: March - June, September - November
ADMISSION FEE: $3 per student; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

New Bern is a historical treasure with more than 150 buildings listed as contributing to the National Register Historic District. A stroll through some of its historic neighborhoods reveals a virtual cornucopia of American architectural styles dating back to the 1700s. This 16-block guided walking tour examines external architectural details of Victorian, Italianate, Federal, and Georgian homes built from the late 18th through early 20th century. Tour must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

Tryon Palace Theater

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
GROUP SIZE LIMIT: 25
SCHEDULE: January - November
ADMISSION FEE: $3 per student; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

Experience the dramatic side of history! Tryon Palace has a number of unique theatrical programs offered as an exciting way for your group to experience history. Whether you’re looking for a puppet show or to debate the issues of the American Revolution, Tryon Palace Theater brings the people and stories of the past to life. Show availability can vary; please call to inquire about current offerings. Program must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

Candlelight Holiday Tours

RECOMMENDED FOR: All ages
SCHEDULE: Second and third Saturdays in December
ADMISSION FEE: $6 per student; $15 per adult (including chaperones)

Let us welcome you home for the holidays as you step back in time to the 18th century for an unforgettable evening in New Bern. The Palace is illuminated and filled with elegant dancers and fascinating characters. Circus performers astound with daring acts of balance, juggling, and death-defying feats. Performances by the Fife & Drum Corps and Jonkonnu bring the sights and sounds of the past alive. The grand finale of the evening is a spectacular fireworks show on the South Lawn. Tickets will be sold for specific times to tour the Palace and Kitchen Office. All other Candlelight venues are available to visit at your leisure.

Scouting Out Tryon Palace

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: K-12
SCHEDULE: First Saturday in March
DURATION: Special activities from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; buildings open regular hours
ADMISSION FEE: $12 per student; $15 per adult (including chaperones)

Brownies, Juniors, and Cadet Girl Scout troops enjoy a special day of North Carolina history that includes period crafts, games, and take-home projects, along with special activities at the North Carolina History Center and in the historic buildings. Each year features a different theme; call for current topics. This event is designed for school-aged children; some activities have a minimum age requirement. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Register online at the Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines website at www.nccoastalpines.org.

Home School Day

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: K-12
SCHEDULE: First Saturday in May
DURATION: Special activities from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; buildings open regular hours
ADMISSION FEE: $12 per student; $15 per adult (including chaperones)

Home-school families immerse themselves in the past during this special day that combines hands-on activities, games, and take-home projects with visits to the North Carolina History Center and historic buildings. Each year features a different theme and special activities; call for current offerings. This event is designed for school-aged children; some activities have a minimum age requirement. Preregistration and prepayment are required.

Time Traveling Tots

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS: Preschool
GROUP SIZE LIMIT: 25
SCHEDULE: January - November at 10:30 a.m.
ADMISSION FEE: $30 flat materials fee; $6 per adult (including chaperones)

You’re never too young for history! In this exciting new program available to preschools, children will learn about the past through stories, objects, and crafts. There are four fun topics to choose from:
• Let’s Get Growing: Explore Tryon Palace's beautiful gardens and learn what makes plants grow.
• Curious Clothes: Try on what the colonists wore as you learn about colonial clothing.
• A Pirate’s Life: Search for treasure and the truth about pirates.
• Music Makers: Find out about the wide variety of instruments and music enjoyed by early Americans.
Preregistration and prepayment are required. Only one program can be booked per time slot each day. Tour must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

Chaperone Information

(You may want to copy these guidelines and give them to all chaperones.)

We depend on our chaperones to see that the visit is safe and enjoyable for everyone. You can help us and have a more enjoyable visit for yourself by observing these chaperone guidelines.

Please remind students to dispose of food, drink, candy or gum before entering the Visitor Center and before entering any of the historic buildings.

Encourage students to look, listen and participate. If one student’s behavior is distracting the group, please remind the student of appropriate “group manners.”

Encourage students to help preserve our historic sites by not touching or leaning on furnishings, and by staying on the pathways in the gardens.

Please keep your group together while touring the gardens. For everyone’s safety, running and climbing are not permitted.


Parking Information For Tour Bus Drivers

We’re glad you brought your motor coach or school bus to Tryon Palace. For everyone’s safety and convenience, please follow these parking do’s and don’ts:

DO off-load your group near the front doors of the North Carolina History Center. As soon as all tour group members are off the coach/bus, please move the coach/bus immediately to the Visitor Parking Lot on Eden Street. map

DO NOT leave the coach/bus in the off-loading space. This blocks the view of drivers in other vehicles entering and leaving the History Center parking lot.

DO NOT leave the coach/bus by the Palace gates as this creates a traffic hazard.


Provisions for Visitors with Special Needs

We welcome all visitors to Tryon Palace, and we like to emphasize what can be done by visitors with disabilities rather than what cannot be done. Prior notice by special needs visitors will assist our staff in providing an enjoyable tour experience. The following specific information may be helpful in planning a tour for visitors with special needs. We hope that with this information, those planning tours for visitors with disabilities or limited mobility can make more informed decisions about tour options.

Every effort is made to accommodate our visitors with special needs. However, because of the historic period and age of many of our tour buildings, some areas may be inaccessible to visitors with physical disabilities. For best arrangements, please phone in advance for any special needs.

The North Carolina History Center is completely accessible to all visitors with disabilities. Restrooms have a clear pathway to stalls with grab bars available and complete “turn-around” space. Mirrors, water fountains and other fixtures are mounted at appropriate heights for visitors who use wheelchairs.

We have added a ramp outside Tryon Palace to enable a visitor who uses a wheelchair to access the first floor with ease. For visitors who cannot or choose not to tour the second floor of Tryon Palace, there is a photo album available with photographs of the second-floor rooms.

First floors of other historic sites are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs; however, some steps must to be negotiated with an assistant:

Kitchen and Stable Offices	1 step
Stanly House	4 steps
Dixon House	5 steps
Hay House	8 steps

From the start, our gardens have been designed to be accessible for all visitors. To avoid stairs when entering the Kitchen Garden, follow the path around the wood shed. Access to the parterre (main) level of the Latham Garden is via the Hawks Allée from the Wilderness Walk. Walkways may be uneven due to the nature of the material used to reconstruct period gardens.

We will make every effort to accommodate hearing- or visually-impaired visitors and others with special needs with advance notice. We have a “hands-on” policy for persons with visual impairments. A sign language interpreter is available for hearing-impaired visitors with advance notice.

There are designated “handicapped” parking slots in the both the History Center visitor parking area and the Visitor Parking Lot on Eden Street.

Reduced rates are offered to special needs visitors and their assistants to compensate for areas which may not be accessible.


Emergency Contact Information

We hope that your visit will be trouble-free. However, if you should need help, here are some sources. New Bern and Craven County support the 9-1-1 emergency response system.

Carolina East Medical Center
2000 Neuse Blvd.
New Bern NC 28562
252-633-8111 - Main Number
9-1-1 for emergencies

Coastal Diesel Service Inc.
1700 Highway 70 East
New Bern NC 28560
252-633-2025 (24 hour response service)

Covington Detroit Diesel-Allison
3511 Highway 17 South
New Bern NC 28562
252-638-3161 (24 hour response service)

Tryon Palace
PO Box 1007
610 Pollock Street
New Bern NC 28563
800-767-1560
252-639-3500
252-514-4876 fax


Take Home A Memory From the Tryon Palace Museum Store

Our Museum Store offer a variety of items for sale.

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