TRYON PALACE FAST FACTS
LOCATION: New Bern, North Carolina, U.S.A.
HOURS: Tu-Sa 9a-5p, Su 1p-5p, Closed on Mondays
COST: One Day Pass: $20 Adults, $10 Ages 6-14
TIME TO COMPLETE: Tour: 50 min
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Spring and early Fall
ACCOMMODATIONS: Parking lot, public restrooms, NC History Center, Gardens and Gift Shop
Nestled along the tranquil shores of the Neuse River in New Bern, North Carolina, stands a timeless symbol of colonial grandeur and historical significance – Tryon Palace. Steeped in rich history and architectural splendor, Tryon Palace offers visitors a captivating journey back in time to the days of Colonial America’s early beginnings. From its stately Georgian-style architecture to its meticulously manicured gardens, a visit to Tryon Palace promises a memorable experience for history enthusiasts, culture aficionados, and curious travelers alike.
Jump to a specific section.
North Carolina History Center
Your visit starts with the North Carolina History Center, located adjacent to the Palace. This state-of-the-art facility features interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and educational programs that delve deeper into the history and culture of the region. It’s a perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain a broader understanding of North Carolina’s past. In addition to purchasing your entry ticket at the entrance, be sure to take the kids to the Pepsi Family Center and check out the Museum Store.
Upon exiting the History Center, make your way north up South Front (the palace grounds will be on your left), stay straight as it turns into Metcalf St, turn left on Pollock St and the entrance to the Palace will be on your left.
Entering the Tryon Palace Grounds
As you walk through the wrought iron fenced main entrance you see the Governor’s Palace straight ahead of you. To your left sits the George W. Dixon House in its original form and the Daves House to your right. The latter regularly serves as the green room for brides and their bridal parties getting married at Tryon Palace. As you move towards the Palace Gate there is a blacksmith on your left and usually some kind of display to your right. During our visit there was a horticultural event featuring numerous plants for sale.
Next up is the entrance to the Governor’s Palace. The entrance is adorned on each side with thin white iron 40’ wide fences, capped with gold-plated spikes at 5’ intervals, 15’ brick columns and an ornate half split wooden entry gate. A unique architectural feature are the matching, hollowed-out, 12’ Medieval towers that connect the fence with the columns. As you enter there is an oval path that encircles the courtyard, used for easy horse and carriage entry and exit, during special events. On either side of the Palace itself are arched concave porticos with Roman columns and shaded seating areas somewhat reminiscent of Mount Vernon. If you’re patient you’ll see a red-coat Fife and Drum band parading around the inner path from the opening gate.
The Governor’s Palace - 1st Floor
The Governor’s Palace tour begins with an introduction to the history of Tryon Palace, including its construction, significance as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina, and the residence of Royal Governor William Tryon. You’ll enter through the grand entrance hall, a space for receiving guests and hosting important events. Next are the more formal rooms like the Governor’s office, the drawing room and the dining room each lavishly decorated with period-appropriate furniture, artwork, and decorative pieces.
The Governor’s Palace - 2nd Floor
After ascending the hand-carved wooden stairs and banisters to the second floor you are greeted by a stained-glass sky light and certificates bearing the Governor’s Coat-of-Arms. Next up is the private living quarters that reflect the opulence, and relative simplicity, of upper-class colonial living. The beds also remind us of how much smaller the average person was in the 18th and 19th centuries. The sitting rooms are spacious and appointed with beautiful, and creatively practical, handcrafted hardwood furniture. Fine china, elaborately framed paintings, moulding trim and hardwood flooring give each room a special touch of class.
The Governor’s Palace - Basement
The final part of the tour takes you down a flight of stairs to the basement. Along the way you see the sand buckets that served as a first response to the all-too-frequent fires during colonial times. The primary benefit of the basement were the cooler temperatures, particularly during the hot humid North Carolina summers. It served as storage for foodstuffs, various types of alcohol and household items. Staff could access these items through the front of the house or from inside.
The Kitchen Office & the Stables
As you exit from the basement via the front of the palace you can proceed right to the Kitchen House or left to the stables. The Kitchen Office is considered by many the most interesting part of your visit. Similar to Old Sturbridge Village, the Kitchen Office transports you to a different time. The main room is a fully functioning Colonial era kitchen complete with a large open-hearth, brick oven and period-appropriate cooking utensils, pots, and pans. There are also areas for butter churning, candle making and food preservation methods like salting and drying. Upstairs are the servant’s quarters including a cool trundle bed. On the opposite side of the compound are the horse’s stables which provide a fascinating look at the colonial-era facilities used for housing and caring for horses.
The Tryon Palace Westside Gardens
Behind the Tryon Palace compound lays 16 acres of extensive and meticulously maintained gardens designed to reflect the historical and botanical interests of the colonial period. The west side starts with the Green Garden and quickly evolves into the magnificent Maude Moore Latham Memorial Garden with its manicured symmetrical designs, reflecting the style of 18th-century European gardens. The garden, named for her significant contributions to the restoration of Tryon Palace, features a diverse array of plants, including seasonal flowers, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Finally there is Hawks and Pleached Allee, flanked by rows of trees, which create a natural canopy overhead. These trees provide shade and a sense of enclosure, making the walk along the allee a serene and sheltered experience.
The Tryon Palace South Lawn
Your first glimpse of Tryon Palace’s expansive South Lawn comes from a second floor window in the Governor’s Palace sitting room. The same view, from the ground floor, can be had from directly behind the Palace. As you work your way around the gardens you are encircling the egg-shaped path that surround the lawn. From the south end you are sandwiched between the Trent River and the Governor’s Palace. The open green space offers a tranquil environment for visitors to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. The South Lawn is also used for living history presentations and interpretive programs that bring the colonial period to life including military drills, historical craft demonstrations, and other activities that showcase the daily life and practices of the 18th century.
The Tryon Palace Eastside Gardens
As you continue north along the main path you’ll encounter the Wilderness Garden which offers a distinct contrast to the more formal gardens on the grounds. The garden features a variety of native plants and trees including a mix of wildflowers, shrubs, and woodland plants, offering a diverse habitat for local wildlife. The Kellenberger Garden showcases a variety of plants that could have been found in the original Tryon Palace gardens, including some that were likely transported via ships docking at New Bern’s bustling waterfront. The Kitchen Garden features a wide variety of plants that would have been commonly grown for culinary purposes in the 18th century. This includes herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil, as well as vegetables like lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Throughout the growing season, the Kitchen Garden yields a bounty of fresh produce that is used in culinary demonstrations, educational programs, and palace events.
In addition to the Governor’s Palace and gardens, Tryon Palace offers a range of special events and programs throughout the year. From live reenactments and historical demonstrations to seasonal festivals and educational workshops, there is always something happening at Tryon Palace that allows visitors to engage with history in a dynamic way.
What is your favorite colonial era place to visit? Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Old Town Alexandria, Old Sturbridge Village . . . ?
