Welcome back, folks! As many of you know, JASP 2025: Sensibility and Domesticity, will take place June 19-22, 2025, in historic New Bern, North Carolina. This year, we will be focusing on Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibility—considering the birth of her career as a published writer and taking a transatlantic look at the world into which she was born. Our program will explore medicine, birth, and domestic arts in Regency England and colonial North Carolina, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth in 1775. We can’t wait to see you there!
In the meantime, prepare to make the most of your four-day stay (or longer, if you decide to take an extended coastal vacation!) in New Bern with this guide to the city’s attractions.
Tryon Palace
Did you know that New Bern was the first state capitol of North Carolina? Tryon Palace, originally built between 1767 and 1770, served as the first permanent seat of government for North Carolina and the residence of the royal governor. Today, this restored Georgian structure invites visitors to explore its lavishly furnished interiors, beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounding historic homes, and engaging living history exhibits.
The North Carolina History Center
Adjacent to Tryon Palace, the North Carolina History Center provides a dynamic, modern experience with state-of-the-art exhibits, galleries, hands-on activities, and multimedia displays that delve into the stories of North Carolina’s people, environment, and culture. Together, these destinations offer an unforgettable journey through history with endless opportunities to learn, laugh, and fall in love with America’s history.
African American Heritage & Culture Center
The African American Heritage & Culture Center preserves and presents the historic impact and progression of African American heritage and culture in Eastern North Carolina. Together, groups of never-enslaved people, joined by others fleeing or freed from slavery, educated their children, cultivated the land, and built strong communities into the time of reconstruction. Through segregation and discrimination, two world wars, the Great Depression, and into the later twentieth century, New Bern’s African American population struggled, endured, and prospered. AAHC preserves, promotes, and celebrates the African American arts, music, culture, and heritage of the region.
In 1893, local pharmacist and drug store owner Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink,” made from a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives, which became an overnight sensation. In 1898, he rebranded it as “Pepsi-Cola,” marketing the drink as a “healthy” cola meant to aid digestion. A hundred years later, Pepsi ranks #1 on CoreBrands’s list of Most Respected Companies (2013) and #41 on the Fortune 500 list (2012). Visit the Birthplace of Pepsi Cola Store at the site of Bradham’s old pharmacy, right on the corner of Middle and Pollock Streets in downtown New Bern.
Civil War History Sites
The Civil War Battle of New Bern occurred on March 14, 1882, when the city’s major port and trading center was captured and occupied by a large Union Army after a fierce battle. New Bern’s official Civil War History Map is the ultimate guide for war history buffs looking forward to a self-guided walking tour of significant landmarks. A few must-sees on the list are the Civil War Battlefield Park, the Attmore-Oliver and John Wright Stanly Houses, the New Bern National Cemetery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.
New Bern Fireman’s Museum
Just two blocks from Tryon Palace, the New Bern Firemen’s Museum provides a unique educational experience for visitors of all ages. Experience the Great Fire of 1922, which destroyed over 1,000 buildings in downtown New Bern, see the museum’s collection of early firefighting equipment, and talk to Fred, “the beloved fire horse.” Fun fact—in 1865, New Bern was the first city in North Carolina, and one of the first in the nation, to charter a fire company.
New Bern Historical District
While in the city, it’s worth taking a stroll through the neighborhoods of Historic New Bern, including downtown, Riverside, and Ghent. Many homes in these districts were built around the turn of the century through World War II, and many of the Victorian mansions, Georgian and bungalow homes, Federal-style buildings, and Greek revival homes, among others, have been restored to their original splendor. Download the Historical Homes Tours Map here and visit the New Bern Historical Society website for more information.
Join us again in the coming weeks for insider’s guides to the history of New Bern, as well as Tryon Palace and the North Carolina History Museum, where we’ll be hosting JASP 2025! The Jane Austen Summer Program is designed to appeal to anyone with a passion for all things Jane Austen. Attendees include people from all walks of life, as well as established scholars, high school teachers, and students from middle school through graduate school. Register for JASP 2025 today!
JASP 2025 is partially supported by a grant from North Carolina Humanities.
Information sourced and excerpted from VisitNewBern.com.
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