The James M. Howard House

The James M. Howard House, built between 1888 and 1892, is one of New Bern's few surviving examples of Queen Anne influenced architecture.  James M. Howard came from a family long active in the shipbuilding business, but was engaged in mercantile and business pursuits.  By 1904, he was a partner with Elijah Hester in the ownership of the Farmer's Tobacco Warehouse Company.  This handsome example of Victorian-period craftsmanship includes all street-facing windows upper sash are glazed with small colored glass panes surrounding a larger clear pane.  The highlight of this home is the corner tower, each of its five sides glazed and having diagonal board aprons beneath each window.  The present Neo-Classical front porch is a ca.1910 replacement of a smaller portico.

New Bern History

New Bern, the second oldest town in North Carolina, was founded by Swiss Baron Christopher de Graffenried.  In 1710 he led Swiss and German Palantine immigrants to this river crossroad which he named after the Swiss capital, Bern.  As in Bern, one of New Bern's most prominent features is a large clock tower, which sits atop City Hall.  "Bern" is a German word meaning bear and, in both the Swiss capital and New Bern, the bear symbol is found throughout the city. 

At the heart of town and crucial to the history of New Bern is Tryon Palace, a reproduction of the Georgian brick mansion built for the British Colonial governor William Tryon in 1770.   Visitors to New Bern are welcomed into the wide variety of events that fill the calendar throughout the year.  The annual Sunday Jazz Showcase brings together world class musicians on the first Sunday in February.  The Spring Historic Homes and Gardens tour and Tryon Palace Gardeners' Weekend combine to showcase colorful tulip gardens and lovely restored homes.  October brings the annual Oktoberfest, as well as Mumfest, one of North Carolina's major festival events celebrating area history and community pride.  Christmas is highlighted by the annual Coastal Christmas Flotilla and Christmas Candlelight Tours of Tryon Palace.  Each season brings new reasons to be in New Bern.