North Carolina History Center

The North Carolina History Center, located within the Tryon Palace complex in New Bern, NC, is a modern museum that immerses visitors in over 300 years of regional history. Opened in 2010, this impressive 60,000-square-foot facility, which cost $65 million, features interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and rotating displays that explore the area’s past, from Native American origins to New Bern’s significance as North Carolina’s first state capital.

Among the highlights is the Pepsi Family Center, where visitors can participate in hands-on activities, such as sailing a virtual ship or cooking in a colonial kitchen. The Regional History Museum delves into the cultural and environmental factors that shaped the Central Coastal Region.

Additionally, the center includes waterfront dining at Lawson’s on the Creek, a museum store, and the Duffy Exhibition Gallery for special exhibits, providing a dynamic and family-friendly experience that truly brings history to life. Admission tickets for the various exhibits within the Center and Tryon Palace can be purchased at the welcome desk.