Directions:
The Historic Edenton visitor center is located at 108 North Broad Street in Edenton. Parking is located behind the visitor center, accessible from East Gale Street.
From the U.S. 17 bypass traveling north, take the Queen Street exit (U.S. 17 business). Turn left onto Broad Street. The visitor center is two blocks on the right.
From the U.S. 17 bypass traveling south, take the Broad Street Extended exit. (U.S. 17 business). The visitor center is approximately two miles on the left.
The route of N.C. 32 through Edenton also passes by the visitor center.
Facilities:
Historic Structures: The historic site includes the furnished James Iredell House (1800/1827), an eighteenth-century necessary, a one-room building (1756) interpreted as a kitchen, a nineteenth-century carriage house, a one-room schoolhouse (ca. 1828), and a dairy (ca. 1828). The schoolhouse and dairy were moved to the site from the plantation home of novelist Inglis Fletcher. The site also includes the Chowan County Courthouse (1767), which is a National Historic Landmark.
Visitor Center: The visitor center, located in the Ziegler House (1892), features information, a fourteen-minute audiovisual program about Edenton’s history, exhibits, a gift shop, and visitor rest areas. The center is the departure point for guided tours of Edenton that includes several historic structures including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Cupola House.
Trails, Monuments, Outdoor Exhibits: A self-guided tour map of Historic Edenton is available at the visitor center. A historical highway marker commemorating Harriet Jacobs (1813-1897) is in front of the visitor center. Born in Edenton, the story of her life, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself, was published in 1861.
Handicapped Accessibility: The visitor center is accessible to all visitors. The walking tour route is one mile on paved sidewalks and is accessible with assistance. All historic building interiors have steps at the entrances and narrow doorways.
Picnic Facilities: Picnic facilities are available on the Edenton waterfront.
Gift Shop: A gift shop operated by the James Iredell Association, Inc. and staffed by volunteers is located in the visitor center.
Programs, Group Activities:
Special events are conducted throughout the year. Hands-on activities are available for scheduled groups. Guided tours on topics of special interest are available by advanced requests. An Elderhostel program is conducted annually.
Guided Tours:
Guided walking tours include:
- 1736 St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- 1758 Cupola House National Historic Landmark
- c. 1782 Barker House
- 1767 Chowan County Courthouse National Historic Landmark
- 1800/1827 Iredell House State Historic Site
Guided trolley and bus tours are also available. If your group would like a tour about a topic of special interest to you, or if you have special needs, be sure to let us know when you contact us to schedule your tour. Groups of ten or more please contact us for reservations.
Fees:
No admission fee for the visitor center. Fees for the guided tours range from $1.50 (student half-tour) to $14 (family full tour).