Civil War Battle Summary: Albemarle Sound, NC
On May 5, CSS Albemarle fought seven blockading Union ships to a draw at the mouth of the Roanoke River. Federals recaptured the converted steamer Bombshell. USS Sassacus was badly damaged. more....
The Barker House
Edenton
The Barker House, 1782, was home of Thomas and Penelope Barker. Penelope presided over the famous Edenton Tea Party, 1774. Enjoy our bookshop, featuring books on historical, cultural and economic importance of North Carolina. ## The Edenton Historical Commission was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1961 and re-created by the General Assembly in 1973. It's purpose is "to effect and encourage preservation, restoration, and appropriate presentation of the Town of Edenton and Chowan County, as a historic, educational, and esthetic place, to the benefit of the citizens of the place and the state and of visitors." (GS 143B-95) Their offices are located in the Barker House, built 1782 - the home of Thomas and Penelope Barker of Edenton Tea Party fame. historicedenton.org edenton.com/history/barker
Battle of Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City
Civil War: Soon after the Federal capture of Roanoke Island, Union naval forces headed up the Pasquotank River toward Elizabeth City. Standing in their way was the ragged Confederate ''Mosquito Fleet,'' composed of tugs and other small watercraft converted to military use. The US Navy destroyed the small fleet in a Feb. 10, 1862, battle just downriver from Elizabeth City and then occupied the town. Elizabeth City in the Civil War
Battle of Plymouth
Plymouth
Civil War: The last major Confederate victory in North Carolina. Combined water-ground assault April 17-20, 1864, resulted in the Confederates recapturing the town, 2,500 prisoners and 25 cannon. The ironclad CSS Albemarle saw action in the battle of Plymouth and on the Sound in 1864. It was finally sunk Oct. 27, 1864, when the Federals reoccupied its base here. A daring attack by a Union launch commanded by 21-year-old Lt. William B. Cushing, sank the CSS Albemarle here Oct. 27, 1862. The weapon was a cask of gunpowder at the end of a wooden spar impaled the ironclad and exploded. nps.gov
Asa Biggs House
Williamston, Martin County
Civil War: Home of prominent politician and jurist Asa Biggs from 1835 to 1862. Biggs served in the U.S. Senate 1854-1858, becoming a Federal, then Confederate district judge. Built circa 1831, the historic Asa Biggs House was once home to 19th Century attorney, judge and later US Senator Asa Biggs. Over two-thirds of the renovations present on the house today were made during Biggs' residency. Owned by the Martin County Historical Society, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Martin County Travel & Tourism Authority & Visitor's Center and the Williamston Partnership for Revitalization occupy the home. Martin County Tourism albemarle-nc.com/martin/history
Camden County Heritage Museum
Camden County
Housed in the former Camden County jail circa 1910. The second story cells have been fully restored and are open to the public. The museum is a well preserved reminder of local methods of incarceration at the turn of the century and also documents the history of Camden County with changing exhibits. The Camden County Jail Museum preserves the restored 1910 Camden County jail and exhibits artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts documenting Camden County's unique history and cultural heritage. Exhibits cover a variety of diverse topics including the logging industry in the area, the creation of the Dismal Swamp Canal, local prominent citizens of the past, family history, the Civil War, slavery, and women's history. The history of the jail building and law enforcement are also creatively interpreted. Camden County jail.htm
Old Currituck County Jail
Currituck County
The jail is a Jacobean brick building 32' X 20', with a thirty-two inch brick wall. County records refer to the jail as early as 1790, making it one of the oldest jails in North Carolina. Currituck County Tourism
Currituck Courthouse
Currituck County
The original Courthouse was built in 1723. The present courthouse was built prior to 1869: some say as early as 1842. The courthouse now houses the County Commissioners Meeting Room and other County offices. The building is open weekdays. Currituck County Tourism
Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center
Camden County
The Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center is the first visitor center built off an interstate in North Carolina and the only such facility in the country greeting visitors by both a major highway and historic waterway. The Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest man-made waterway in the United States still in use today, began construction in 1784 and was completed in 1805. Improvements have been made continually over the years. The canal is part of the Atlantic Inter-coastal Waterway, uses a system of locks to assist navigation, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark. The Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center provides educational material and programs celebrating the canal's history and significance as well as serving as a state Welcome Center and regional tourism information hub. Welcome Center provides assistance and information to both highway and waterway travelers on historic sites, attractions, special events and travel conditions. Staff assists with lodging and ferry reservations for visitors. Come see us by highway or waterway! Civil War: After Union forces captured Roanoke Island in February 1862, the Northerners turned their attention inland. Among their targets was the Dismal Swamp Canal, which was an important supply artery to Confederates in the area and a potential ''back door'' to Norfolk. Union infantry unsuccessfully attacked Confederate forts protecting the canal near South Mills April 19, 1862. The Confederates successfully defended key areas of the Dismal Swamp Canal against Union attackers. Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Davenport Homestead
Creswell
Built by Daniel Davenport, Washington County's first Senator, in 1800. The homestead has preserved ''A Place in Time'' and consists of a dwelling house, chick house, salting and smoke house, outhouse, loom house, shelter for farm equipment, hog pen and corncrib. visitwashingtoncountync.com
Historic Edenton State Historic Site
Edenton
Historic Edenton State Historic Site seeks to preserve, maintain, develop, and interpret the James Iredell House, and to help preserve and interpret the numerous other historic structures and locations in the town of Edenton including Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, the Cupola House, the Barker House, and the Chowan County Courthouse. NCDCR
Historic Edenton
Edenton
Visitor Center, located at 108 North Broad Street provides 14 - minute audiovisual program, exhibits, gift shop, visitor information/orientation. Guided tours of five properties: 1736 St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1758 Cupola House (National Historic Landmark), circa 1782 Barker House, 1767 Chowan County Courthouse (National Historic Landmark) and early 19th-century Iredell House State Historic Site. Walking and trolley tours available with the Trolley Tour highlighting much of our African-American (African American) Heritage. Visitor Center free. Fee for tours. NCDCR
Historic Edenton Trolley Tour
Edenton
Discover the rich history and architectural diversity of Edenton during a comprehensive 45-minute trolley tour thru the historic district. An experienced interpreter introduces you to the people and events that shaped the town - the prominent citizens of Edenton's Golden Age (1750-1800), the African American, builders, educators, and entrepreneurs of the post Civil War period, and the industrial rebirth of the town (1880s-1920s) - while you travel past the beautiful and varied architecture of the historic homes and buildings. Edenton tours
Elizabeth City's Historic Districts Walking Tours
Elizabeth City
Self-guided tours of Elizabeth City's six National Register Historic Districts, including the largest number of brick antebellum commercial buildings in the state. Relive Elizabeth City's history by viewing early 19th- and 20th- century storefronts, homes and university buildings. Free tour brochures available from the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce, Museum of the Albemarle and Dismal Swamp Visitors Center. Elizabeth City online tours
Fort Branch Confederate Earthen Fort
Hamilton, Martin County
Fort Branch Confederate Earthen Fort is a privately owned historic site open to the public April through the first weekend in November. The Fort Branch Battlefield Commission works to preserve and restore the fort and to interpret its heritage and historical significance. The First North Carolina Volunteers, a Civil War re-enactment group, uses Fort Branch for winter headquarters and battle drills, and the site is used for Civil War re-enactments and educational and curriculum-based programming in the community. Civil War: Confederates began fortifying this bluff 70 feet above a bend in the Roanoke River to help deter Union advances against the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad and protect the construction site of the ironclad CSS Albemarle. Work on the fort, begun February 1862, was completed a year later. A December 1864 Union attack failed to capture the fort. Well preserved earthworks in this extensive fortification remain. Original cannon remain at the site. Well-preserved star-shaped Confederate earthen fort on Rainbow Banks overlooking the Roanoke River. Annual battle re-enactment the first weekend in November. Seven of the original cannons on display. fortbranchcivilwarsite.com
