You Are Welcome in Edenton
- Where History is Real
Prettiest Little Town in the South - Located in northeastern North Carolina, Edenton is a small unique town known for its authentic 18th, 19th and early 20th century architecture and the stories about the people behind these public buildings and homes.
The early settlers of Edenton played an important role in the formation of the Colony that became known as North Carolina; in its development; and maybe more importantly, in defining the motivations for the revolution against the Crown that led to Independence and the birth of the United States. Edentonians also shaped the first US Supreme Court; gave women their first role in political affairs; established basic principles of judicial theory that are still in force today; and made Edenton the significant historical town that it is today.
Penelope Barker - When you explore our town or our web site, you'll learn how Penelope Barker organized the tea party that became the first political action taken by women in the colonies, as well as the western world. It caused such a ruckus that cartoonists in England had a field day making fun of the idea that women should even express ideas about freedom! (There is a satirical print depicting this "outrageous" idea in the Barker House in Edenton.) The Barker House is open to visitors from 10 am until 4 pm daily. It also serves as the home of the Edenton Historical Commission.
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Important figures from Edenton's History:
James Iredell, a 38-year old lawyer from Edenton and George Washington's choice to serve on the first US Supreme Court, contributed to the freedoms we enjoy today. A walk through the Iredell House presents an insight into how our forefathers and foremothers lived. (Tours of the house are available through the Edenton Visitors Center.)
Edentonian Joseph Hewes, signed the Declaration of Independence. His little recognized contribution to our country may have been his participation in the creation of the US Navy. He also served as the first Secretary of the Navy.
Hugh Williamson of Edenton attended the constitutional convention in Philadelphia and signed the proposed United States Constitution.
Samuel Johnson also of Edenton and Governor of North Carolina, presided over both state conventions called to ratify the US Constitution. He then served as the State's first US Senator.
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In 1862, Edenton's church and courthouse bells were melted in order to create cannons for our defense. One of the original Edenton Bell Battery cannons is on display at the Barker House.
Edentonians, like their predecessors, take great pride in preserving the stories and the buildings that make the state and country what it is today. Examples include the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse; the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse: A National Historic Landmark, known as the finest example of Georgian courthouse architecture in the South and still in use; the 1758 Cupola House: A National Historic Landmark; and a recent preservation effort, Martinique. These are just a few of the buildings that played a significant role in defining the colony, Edenton, North Carolina and the United States of America.
In addition to its wealth of history and stories about the leaders and its friendly inhabitants, the views of Edenton Bay (once a thriving international port) on the Albemarle Sound are fantastic! It is the nation's largest fresh-water sound, known for great fishing, boating (both sail and motor) and environmentally protected rivers, millponds and creeks - ideal for kayaking and canoeing.
Edenton is not a reconstruction; everything is real.
Need more information? Explore by visiting our Town, our web site or other sites including:
Cupola House
Historic Edenton State Historic Site and Iredell House at Edenton
Town of Edenton
Chowan County
Visit Edenton
Destination Downtown
Harriet Jacobs
Chowan Arts Council
Chowan County Tourism Development Authority
Preservation North Carolina
Paths of Chowan
Events:
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Annual Report and 990:
Our 2009 Annual Report and a copy of our IRS 990 is available as a PDF.
- Where History is Real
The early settlers of Edenton played an important role in the formation of the Colony that became known as North Carolina; in its development; and maybe more importantly, in defining the motivations for the revolution against the Crown that led to Independence and the birth of the United States. Edentonians also shaped the first US Supreme Court; gave women their first role in political affairs; established basic principles of judicial theory that are still in force today; and made Edenton the significant historical town that it is today.
________________________________________
______________________________________
Important figures from Edenton's History:
James Iredell, a 38-year old lawyer from Edenton and George Washington's choice to serve on the first US Supreme Court, contributed to the freedoms we enjoy today. A walk through the Iredell House presents an insight into how our forefathers and foremothers lived. (Tours of the house are available through the Edenton Visitors Center.)
Edentonian Joseph Hewes, signed the Declaration of Independence. His little recognized contribution to our country may have been his participation in the creation of the US Navy. He also served as the first Secretary of the Navy.
Hugh Williamson of Edenton attended the constitutional convention in Philadelphia and signed the proposed United States Constitution.
Samuel Johnson also of Edenton and Governor of North Carolina, presided over both state conventions called to ratify the US Constitution. He then served as the State's first US Senator.
______________________________________
Edentonians, like their predecessors, take great pride in preserving the stories and the buildings that make the state and country what it is today. Examples include the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse; the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse: A National Historic Landmark, known as the finest example of Georgian courthouse architecture in the South and still in use; the 1758 Cupola House: A National Historic Landmark; and a recent preservation effort, Martinique. These are just a few of the buildings that played a significant role in defining the colony, Edenton, North Carolina and the United States of America.
In addition to its wealth of history and stories about the leaders and its friendly inhabitants, the views of Edenton Bay (once a thriving international port) on the Albemarle Sound are fantastic! It is the nation's largest fresh-water sound, known for great fishing, boating (both sail and motor) and environmentally protected rivers, millponds and creeks - ideal for kayaking and canoeing.
Edenton is not a reconstruction; everything is real.
Need more information? Explore by visiting our Town, our web site or other sites including:
Cupola House
Historic Edenton State Historic Site and Iredell House at Edenton
Town of Edenton
Chowan County
Visit Edenton
Destination Downtown
Harriet Jacobs
Chowan Arts Council
Chowan County Tourism Development Authority
Preservation North Carolina
Paths of Chowan
Events:
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Annual Report and 990:
Our 2009 Annual Report and a copy of our IRS 990 is available as a PDF.
Edenton's unique because it is not a reproduction or a re-creation, everything is real. It played an unique role as the Colonial Capitol of North Carolina -- people and their actions taken here shaped the state and the nation. Penelope Barker created the first political event by women to occur in the colony. George Washington appointed a 38-year old Edentonian to the nation's first Supreme Court. Signers of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution lived here and walked our streets. You are encourage to walk where those early leaders walked and hear their stories by visiting Edenton and some nearby historic attractions:
