International publication of "The Harriet Jacobs Family Papers" kicking off at Historic Edenton Saturday, Nov. 22

The home of James Iredell is located in Edenton, a town rich in architecture and history since pre-Revolutionary times. George Washington appointed Iredell to the first U.S. Supreme Court. His earliest career included service as a British tax collector and as a state attorney general. The house is seen as a part of the Historic Edenton Tour, which begins at the nearby visitor center.

Edenton, North Carolina, is a storybook place. The view across Edenton Bay and the Albemarle Sound from the foot of Broad Street, the lovely waterfront parks, the tree-lined streets flanked by fine eighteenth- and nineteenth-century homes, the magnificent 1767 Chowan County Courthouse with its green running to the water, together yield an unsurpassed feeling of romance, charm, and warmth. (The Chowan County Courthouse is a National Historic Landmark). Historic Edenton is also part of the N.C. Colonial Trail.

But, Edenton is more than its long, important history. It is a prosperous and vibrant community that welcomes visitors to share in the beauty of the land and the water, and in life today in a remarkable small Southern town.

Edenton has been called "The South's prettiest town." Established in the late 17th century and incorporated in 1722, it is located on Edenton Bay at the head of the Albemarle Sound, 90 miles southwest of Norfolk, Virginia. A town of 5,000 people, Edenton retains an extensive historic district with a wonderful assemblage of 18th, 19th, and early-20th-century buildings. A guided walking tour of the historic district is offered several times daily throughout the year from the Visitor Center.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Edenton was a political, cultural, and commercial center in the colonies and in the fledgling nation. One of its citizens signed the Declaration of Independence (a second signer died in Edenton while fleeing his creditors), and another signed the United States Constitution. Artisans in Edenton and the surrounding Chowan and Roanoke River basins were leaders in building and cabinetmaking. During the early eighteenth century, Edenton was the second largest port in the colonies.

Today, the record of accomplishment from earlier days can be seen in the public and private buildings along the streets of this remarkable community, and in the pride its residents take in their past and present.

Beyond its historic significance, Edenton offers visitors a fascinating look at contemporary life in a small and thriving Southern town. Its three-block-long business district is lined with shops and businesses that cater to both residents and visitors. The waterfront has been given over to parks with vistas across Edenton Bay and the Albemarle Sound. It is not uncommon for residents of the gracious old homes that line the shaded streets to invite visitors to come in for tea . . . just one sign that life continues as it should in Edenton.

Guided walking tours daily from the Visitor Center include historic sites such as St. Paul's Church, ca. 1736; Cupola House, ca. 1758; Barker House, ca. 1782; Chowan County Courthouse, 1767; and the James Iredell House, ca. 1773.

Special Events for 2008

November Walking Tours featuring Edenton’s diverse architectural styles. Fee charged. For more information, call 252-482-2637. Every Wednesday.

Harriet Jacobs circa 1894.
Photo by Gilbert Studios, Washington, D.C. Courtesy of a private collection.

November 22 Kickoff of the international publication of "The Harriet Jacobs Family Papers" by the University of North Carolina Press. Historic Edenton will host this literary event, which will celebrate the remarkable life and accomplishments of the escaped slave, abolitionist and writer Harriet Jacobs (1813–97), who for seven long years, hid here in Edenton before fleeing to freedom and a new life in the north. 

The book’s editor, Dr. Jean Fagan Yellin, a literary scholar and distinguished professor emerita of English at Pace University in New York, will be an honored guest at this invitation-only event featuring literary readings, Civil War colored troops reenactors, and discussions about Harriet Jacobs and Dr. Yellin’s years of research on Jacobs, author of the famed autobiography  “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”. Dr. Yellin's works include a biography of this unique historical figure, "Harriet Jacobs, A Life." A brief (:45) podcast featuring an interview with Jean Yellin is available at ncculture.com.

To listen to an excerpt from "The Harriet Jacobs Papers", go to this link. A review of this fascinating book that has just appeared in "Humanities" magazine can be found here.

December 12 Courthouse Caroling. Join us for community Christmas caroling in the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. Refreshments afterwards. 6 p.m.

December 12-13 Iredell House Groaning Board. Eighteenth century style Christmas decorations, music, & a holiday dessert groaning board. Tables are so heavily laden with food you can almost hear the boards “groan.” 1-5 p.m.

December 15 Period Christmas Decorations Workshop. Learn how to use natural materials to decorate for the holidays. Make your own to take home. Fee charged. Reservations required. For more information/to register, call Judy Chilcoat at 252-482-2637. 9 a.m.-noon session or 1-4 p.m. session.

December 16-18 Period Christmas Decorations Workshop (student groups). Make and take home a period decoration made from natural materials. Fee charged. Reservations required. For more information or to register, call Judy Chilcoat at 252-482-2637.

Special Events for 2009

January 13, March 10, September 8, November 10 Historic Edenton Lunch Programs.  30-minute programs to be held in the Assembly Room of the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse.  Bring your lunch and we will provide lemonade and cookies. 12 noon.

January Family Connections themed tours of Iredell House & Cupola House.  Fee charged.  Call 252-482-2637 for more information. Monday-Saturday.

February 10 Northeast Regional History Bowl. Academic competition between area eighth-grade students with emphasis on history of North Carolina.  Regional winner advances to state championship History Bowl competitions May 13-14.  Teams must register in advance. Study guide and history bowl guidelines available.  Call Keith Furlough at 252-482-2637 for more information.

March Women’s History Month.  Student bus tours featuring Harriet Jacobs. Fee charged.  Reservations required. Call 252-482-2637 for more information.

April 6 Easter Egg Hunt.  Kindergarten students hunt school-provided candy eggs on the grounds of the Iredell House.  Reservations required.  Call Carolyn Owens at 252-482-2637 for more information.

April 8-9 Easter Egg Dyeing.  Workshop for 2nd grade students who learn about natural dyes made from flowers, vegetables and animals, while dyeing eggs they provide. Reservations required.  Call Carolyn Owens 252-482-2637 for more information.

May 12 National Tourism Day.  Free guided tours of the Iredell House and Trolley Tours throughout the day. 

May 16 Civil War-era maritime living history program. Conducted on the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green.  10-4.

August Beat the Heat-Colonial Coping Strategies. Guided tours of the Iredell House emphasizing old-fashioned methods of dealing with the heat. Fee charged.  Call 252-482-2637 for more information.

September 17-23 Constitution Week.  Celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution exhibit.  Tours emphasizing Edenton residents who were a part of this historic event. Fee charged for tours.  Call 252-482-2637 for more information.

Mondays in October Fourth-grade students will have hands-on experiences with games, chores and domestic skills of the Colonial era with an opportunity to make and take home their own handiwork.  Fee charged. Reservations required.  Call 252-482-2637 for more information.

November Walking Tours featuring Edenton’s diverse architectural styles.   Fee charged.  Call 252-482-2637 for more information.  Each Wednesday. 

December 11 Caroling In the Courthouse.  Join us for community Christmas caroling at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. Refreshments afterwards.  Call Keith Furlough at 252-482-2637 for more information. 6 p.m.

December 11-12 Iredell House Groaning Board.  Eighteenth-Century style Christmas decorations, music, and a holiday dessert groaning board.  Tables are so heavily laden with food you can almost hear the boards “groan.”  Call 252-482-2637 for more information.1-5 p.m.

December 14  Period Christmas Decorations Workshop. Learn how to use natural materials to decorate for the holidays.  Make your own to take home.  Fee charged.  Reservations required.  Call Judy Chilcoat at 252-482-2637 for more information.  9 a.m.-noon session or 1-4 p.m. session. 

December 15-18 Period Christmas Decorations Workshop for student groups.  Make and take home a period decoration made from natural materials.  Fee charged.  Reservations required.  Call Judy Chilcoat at 252-482-2637 for more information.