Guion Gallery

For one of the most beautiful art and decorative-arts experiences in New Bern, NC, the Guion Gallery is a real treasure. Set inside the North Carolina History Center on the historic Tryon Palace grounds in Craven County, this thoughtfully designed gallery showcases the rich decorative arts history of North Carolina’s Central Coastal Region. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the gallery before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Named for Bess Guion

The Guion Gallery was dedicated on April 5, 2019, as part of Tryon Palace’s 60th Anniversary Celebration — a fitting commemoration of six decades of preservation work in New Bern. Named in honor of Bess Guion, a longtime supporter of Tryon Palace, the gallery represents one of the most recent and most thoughtful additions to the broader Tryon Palace complex.

“Treasures from the Attic” — The Permanent Exhibit

The Guion Gallery is home to the “Treasures from the Attic” permanent exhibit — a beautiful collection of historically significant decorative arts that tells a quiet but remarkable story about the evolution of Tryon Palace itself. The pieces on display were originally part of the comprehensive decorative arts collection assembled for the palace’s mid-20th-century reconstruction, spearheaded by Mrs. Maude Moore Latham, whose generosity and vision were instrumental in bringing Tryon Palace back to life. When the Governor’s Palace was later reinterpreted to be more historically accurate to the era of Governor William Tryon, many of the original collection’s pieces no longer fit the new historical setting.

Rather than retiring these stunning pieces, Tryon Palace created the Guion Gallery as a permanent home where they could continue to be celebrated. The result is a thoughtfully curated display of fine furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles, and other decorative arts treasures — each one connected to the broader Tryon Palace story.

Honoring Maude Moore Latham’s Original Vision

The collection itself is a tribute to Maude Moore Latham, one of the most important figures in the history of Tryon Palace’s reconstruction. Latham championed the project for years, lending her own personal collection to help furnish the rebuilt palace. The “Treasures from the Attic” exhibit ensures that her vision — and the extraordinary pieces she helped bring to New Bern — remain visible to visitors today, even as the broader palace has been reinterpreted around her.

For visitors who appreciate antique furniture, fine craftsmanship, and the quiet stories that decorative arts can tell, the Guion Gallery offers a peaceful, contemplative counterpoint to the more interactive spaces elsewhere in the History Center complex.

Good to Know

Location: Inside the North Carolina History Center on the Tryon Palace grounds
Dedicated: April 5, 2019, as part of Tryon Palace’s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Named for: Bess Guion, a longtime supporter of Tryon Palace
Permanent exhibit: “Treasures from the Attic” — decorative arts from the collection spearheaded by Maude Moore Latham
Cost: Free admission
Best for: Decorative arts enthusiasts, antique lovers, and visitors interested in the deeper story of Tryon Palace’s restoration
Pair with: A visit to the Duffy Exhibition Gallery, the Pepsi Family Center, and the Regional History Museum — all within the same complex
Located inside the North Carolina History Center on the Tryon Palace grounds in downtown New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

The Guion Gallery is the kind of stop that quietly rewards visitors who appreciate the deeper stories behind a great historic site. The beautiful pieces on display, the tribute to Maude Moore Latham’s vision, and the gallery’s connection to the broader Tryon Palace restoration story all add up to a genuinely meaningful cultural experience. Whether you’re a decorative arts enthusiast or simply curious about the layers of history tucked inside the Tryon Palace complex, this is one of the most thoughtful stops you can make during a visit to the History Center.