Tryon Palace is known for being North Carolina’s first permanent state capitol, but we’re remembered for capturing imaginations. Walk in the footsteps of colonial governors, stroll through more than 16 acres of beautifully-sculpted gardens, or travel back in time for an interactive experience that blends the 1830s with 21st-century technologies.
Completed in 1770, Tryon Palace served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina and home to the family of Royal Governor William Tryon. Tryon Palace was the site of the first sessions of the general assembly for the State of North Carolina following the revolution and housed the state governors until 1794. In 1798, fire destroyed the original Palace building.
An extensive 30-year campaign to rebuild the Palace and restore the grounds was launched by the people of New Bern, state leaders, world craftsmen, and generous, dedicated citizens such as Maude Moore Latham. Their efforts led to the triumphant reopening of the Palace in 1959. Today, the Palace lives on as a testament to history, community, and rebirth.
Tryon Palace: Bringing North Carolina History to Life