Beaufort Historic Site

For one of the most rewarding historical experiences along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, the Beaufort Historic Site is a real treasure. Located in the heart of Beaufort, NC in Carteret County, this beloved 2-acre site preserves ten beautifully restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings within the National Register-listed Beaufort Historic District.

Visitors can tour Federal-style mansions, the oldest wood-framed courthouse in NC, a circa-1829 jail with 28-inch-thick walls, the Old Burying Ground with graves dating to the 1710s, and the rest of the broader site. The Historic Site also offers narrated tours aboard a vintage 1967 English double-decker bus. For a deeper dive into the individual structures, check out our companion guide, “Whispers of the Past: Exploring Beaufort’s Historic Treasures.” Click on the pictures below to get a feel for the Beaufort Historic Site before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A 2-Acre Historic Site Run by the Beaufort Historical Association

The Beaufort Historic Site was established in 1960 by a group of dedicated local volunteers. Today, it’s managed by the Beaufort Historical Association, which has spent more than six decades researching, preserving, and interpreting the town’s deep coastal heritage.

The two-acre site sits at the heart of Beaufort’s nationally recognized historic district. The Plan of Beaufort Towne — laid out in 1713 — survives today in a beautifully preserved 12-block area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tours begin at the Robert W. and Elva Faison Safrit Historical Center (located at 130 Turner Street). This Welcome Center also houses the Old Beaufort Shop, a gift shop featuring local history books, hand-woven rugs, hand-carved decoys, pottery, and other locally crafted goods.

Ten Restored Buildings from the 1700s and 1800s

The Beaufort Historic Site preserves ten beautifully restored buildings, each offering a window into a different chapter of NC coastal life. For a deeper exploration of each structure, see our companion guide, “Whispers of the Past: Exploring Beaufort’s Historic Treasures.”

Apothecary Shop and Doctor’s Office (1859) — The smallest structure on the site. It’s filled with medicinal and pharmaceutical artifacts from 19th-century coastal Carolina
Carteret County Courthouse (1796) — The oldest wood-framed courthouse in North Carolina. It underwent an award-winning restoration from 1997 to 2001 and now serves as the backdrop for courtroom dramatizations that teach today’s youth about the early American legal system
John C. Manson House (1825) — A Federal-style home considered the jewel of the site’s restoration efforts. The house showcases exact replications of historic decorative faux finishes on interior walls and exterior doors, and represents the Bahamian architectural style common throughout early Beaufort
Josiah Bell House (1825) — A Victorian-era home that served as the residence of the influential Bell family. Josiah Fisher Bell, son of the home’s namesake, was a Confederate agent who blew up a series of lighthouses at Cape Lookout during the Civil War
Leffers Cottage (1778) — A rustic white cottage that was once home to Samuel Leffers, a schoolmaster, merchant, and court clerk. Today, it showcases authentic Colonial-era artifacts of daily life, including cooking, spinning, sewing, candle making, and weaving
Old Jail / Carteret County Jail (1829) — A favorite stop for visitors of all ages. The structure features 28-inch-thick walls and is filled with local ghost stories
Russell House (1732) — The oldest surviving building on the site. Today, it’s home to the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, the oldest art gallery in Carteret County, featuring works from more than 100 local and regional artists

The Old Burying Ground

Few stops on the Beaufort Historic Site are as evocative as the Old Burying Ground. Established in 1731, this 18th-century cemetery is shaded by majestic live oak trees that drape Spanish moss over the historic gravesites.

The graveyard is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains burials dating back to the 1710s. Tour guides share the stories of the burial ground’s most notable permanent residents — including pirates, patriots, Civil War soldiers, and famous local figures.

The most beloved among them is Capt. Otway Burns, a War of 1812 hero and American Privateer who later served in the NC State Senate.

Vintage Double-Decker Bus Tours and Period-Costumed Docents

One of the most distinctive ways to experience the Beaufort Historic Site is aboard the vintage 1967 English double-decker bus. The 1967 London-style red double-decker offers narrated tours of Beaufort’s historic district. Costumed pirate guides regale passengers with stories of pirates, Confederate spies, and lost loves.

Beyond the bus tours, walking tours of the site’s authentically restored buildings are led by docents in period dress. These hands-on tours offer a much deeper look into the lives and habits of early coastal residents of Carolina.

For visitors wanting to explore at their own pace, self-guided tour brochures are available year-round at the Welcome Center.

Seasonal Events and Hands-On Programs

The Beaufort Historic Site hosts a variety of seasonal events and educational programs throughout the year. Programs include:

Hands-on workshops — Visitors can roleplay a courtroom case in the century-old courthouse, learn how to bake, weave, make candles, and try traditional farming activities
Old Burying Ground guided tours — Seasonal tours typically run from June through September
Old Homes and Gardens Tour — A beloved annual event
Holiday-themed double-decker bus tours with decorated historic homes
The Beaufort Ghost Walk — Evening tours of the town’s haunted history (operated separately by Port City Tour Company)
Living history programs customized for school groups, families, and tour groups
Weddings and private events — The Manson House backyard and main lawn are popular for ceremonies and receptions

Good to Know

Address: Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street, Beaufort, NC 28516
Size: 2-acre site with 10 restored buildings
Operator: Beaufort Historical Association (established 1960)
Notable structures: Apothecary Shop (1859), Carteret County Courthouse (1796), John C. Manson House (1825), Josiah Bell House (1825), Leffers Cottage (1778), Old Jail (1829), Russell House (1732)
National Register listings: Beaufort Historic District (12-block area); Old Burying Ground
Tour options: Docent-led walking tours of the buildings; vintage 1967 English double-decker bus tours of the historic district; seasonal Old Burying Ground tours; self-guided brochure tours year-round
Hands-on programs: Courtroom roleplay, baking, weaving, candle making, and traditional farming
Open: Monday through Saturday year-round (check the Beaufort Historic Site website for current hours)
Family-friendly: Period-costumed docents and hands-on activities make the site genuinely engaging for kids
Wedding venue: Available for weddings and private events
Visitor Center amenity: The Old Beaufort Shop (gift shop with local books, hand-woven rugs, decoys, pottery)
Best for: History enthusiasts, families, school groups, wedding parties, and visitors interested in 18th- and 19th-century coastal Carolina life
Pair with: A daytime visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, an evening on the Beaufort Ghost Walk, an afternoon at the Rachel Carson Reserve, or a dinner along the Beaufort waterfront
Located at 130 Turner Street in Beaufort, NC

A Beaufort Highlight

The Beaufort Historic Site is the kind of stop that genuinely captures the layered character of one of North Carolina’s oldest coastal towns. The thoughtfully restored buildings span more than 130 years of NC history.

From the 1732 Russell House (the oldest on the site) to the brick-red 1796 Carteret County Courthouse to the haunting Old Jail, each structure tells its own story. The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery anchors the Russell House, featuring works by 100+ regional artists.

The Old Burying Ground adds an extra layer of historical depth. Its 1710s-era graves are shaded by live oaks and Spanish moss. Furthermore, the vintage 1967 English double-decker bus offers one of the most distinctive ways to tour any small town in NC.

Whether you’re settling in for a docent-led walking tour, exploring the courthouse and jail with the family, riding the double-decker bus around the historic district, or photographing the Old Burying Ground at twilight, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in Carteret County.