Through the Looking Glass: “A Journey with the Storytellers”

Duffy Exhibition Gallery, NC History Center

April 22, 2023 through January 8, 2024

The 100th Anniversary of the New Bern Historical Society brings the opportunity to share the myriad stories that make up the history of New Bern.  Visitors with encounter stories of individuals and events through images, artifacts and experiences that tell the stories of our past and those stories that we continue to live. After 100 years, the Historical Society has a large collection of images and artifacts of New Bern’s history. Many of these have been hidden for years in our files and storage, and others will be on loan from friends.

In 1923, the New Bern Historical Society was founded and began to collect artifacts and information about the stories that came before. Those from before New Bern’s founding in 1710 and those within the memory of the founders. Today, 100 years later, the New Bern Historical Society works to expand the net to gather every possible story to add to the fabric. Those stories take New Bern from an agrarian culture to a shipping center, to a railroad hub. It survived epidemics, wars, depressions, booms and busts. The Historical Society is not only the collector of the memories, but also the teller of the stories. Reflect on our past as you visit and consider your own story.

Executive Director, Mickey Miller explains: “After working on this project for over two years, we are thrilled to be able to share it with everyone. This is no ordinary museum exhibit – it will take you on a fascinating multi-dimensional journey with storytellers through not only our 100 years, but also from New Bern’s very beginnings.”

One hundred years is quite a feat for any organization! It began at the home of Mrs. R. N. Duffy on April 19, 1923, when 19 people gathered to start a branch of the State Historical Society. It has grown over the years to more than 1200 members with our mission to “celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education.” That’s a century of service telling the story of the remarkable people and events that have shaped this community and contributed to our state and nation.

This a FREE exhibit.