I cannot believe no one has written a review of this delightful museum. I'm shocked. Anyhow, we…read morewere visiting from Virginia--staying at Onslow Beach. We arrived at the AOH Museum right as they opened. We were greeted by the museum curator who was a simply delightful man who gave us the warmest of welcomes. He told us it was a self-guided tour and handed us the written information for the tour. He added that he was available for answers to any questions we had. We started in the dining room. Before I go on, I should share that I'm a psychic medium and any historical spots usually are interesting for me. Anyhow, two or three steps in I sensed someone standing to my left. I thought it was interested in my boyfriend so I walked from the spot. No, this spirit was walking with me. I walked into the hallway where we started and was greeted by another staff member who was super friendly and accommodating. The three of us chatted about the area and the building. I finally asked if there was anything "unusual " about the building. She felt I meant structural. So my boyfriend simply said, "spirits". She immediately referenced a woman named Miss Mary. I pointed to my left and whispered, "she is standing right here" as I pointed to my left. The guide seemed delighted. We continued walking throughout the building and we were joined by the curator once again while he was told what I was and what I was getting. He too was thrilled and pointed out amazing and interesting facts about the building and the people associated with it throughout its history. The curator did not have to stop and spend such wonderful time with us. I was honored as he spoke with such passion and love for his work. I could go on about the things that I "picked up" but I'll save that for future visitors. We were overwhelmed with the hospitality and kindness of the curator and staff as they made us feel welcome. I won't forget this visit...ever.

On a residential street that is about a block from the side of the Trent River, this marker points…read moreout that yes, the first POTUS really did sleep here. The marker reads, "President Washington visited in the Stanly home two nights, April 20-21, 1791." George Washington toured the United States to observe political climate and to thank his supporters. His tour and stops along the way became important landmarks in the areas he touched. Washington saw more of his country while in office than any other American president before the twentieth century. He also kept a detailed diary. Online, there is more information. "In early 1791, after establishing a site for the new "Federal District" along the Potomac River, Washington embarked on a tour of the Southern states--a product of his desire to visit every state during his term of office. Proceeding from Mount Vernon via Fredericksburg and Richmond (Virginia) into North Carolina, Washington crossed the Roanoke River into Halifax in mid-April 1791. From there, the President's carriage tour took him through Tarboro, Greenville, New Bern, Trenton, and Wilmington before entering South Carolina. Washington re-entered North Carolina near Charlotte and traveled northward, visiting Salisbury, Salem, and Guilford Court House. Washington arrived on the outskirts of New Bern on the morning of April 20 and was greeted by a group of leading citizens who escorted the President into town. He recorded in his diary that the town had about 2,000 residents and that the 'buildings are sparce and altogether of wood." He noted that some of those buildings were "large and look well."" It is marker number C-19. [Review 20320 overall - 3495 in North Carolina - 1298 of 2023.]

I really enjoyed my visit to Tryon Palace! I learned a lot about the history of New Bern, which was…read morevery cool. This house is a very nice reconstruction, as the original one burned down. The guide was very knowledgeable, and they even had fake food set out in the dining room! The gardens were lovely, and you could wander in them for a while (we didn't, just because it was so hot). Definitely a reasonable price to pay for a 45-minute history lesson.

I enjoyed the history of this Palace and thought that the docent giving the tour was quite…read moreknowledgeable. The history was so interesting and I asked a lot questions as well - she didn't seem to kind! And I actually stumped bet on one of the equations. Make sure you walk around the grounds and the gardens as well. They have a pretend military camp based in 1774, so that was very interesting. Well worth it! If you are a senior make sure you ask for the discount - not advertised!

This marker is located across the street from the Craven County Courthouse and points out that an…read moreimportant court case was decided here. The marker reads, "Bayard v. Singleton. American precedent for judicial review of legislation set nearby, 1787, by Samuel Ashe, Samuel Spencer, John Williams." Online, there is more information. In 1787, Elizabeth Cornell Bayard filed suit to reclaim lands and property of her father, Samuel Cornell, which had been confiscated at the close of the American Revolution because of Cornell's loyalist sympathies. "Bayard's attorneys argued that the 1785 confiscation acts passed by the state violated a provision set forth in the state's 1776 constitution that guaranteed anyone a trial by jury in a case involving the potential of loss of landholdings or property. The court was faced with a troubling situation. Although it appeared clear that the confiscation acts did indeed violate the state constitution, there was no real precedent in the 1780s for a court to refuse to enforce a legislative act." It was the first American decision to recognize the principle of judicial review. The precedent led to the famous Marbury v. Madison case where the Supreme Court asserted its authority to strike down a law as unconstitutional. [Review 18898 overall - 3382 in North Carolina - 2421 of 2022.]

I spent about a half of a day in downtown Kinston. If you are visiting downtown, that's about all…read moreyou really need to spend here. My disclaimer when rating towns and cities, is I rate based on cities of similar size. So I do not compare Kinston to Atlanta for example. Kinston is in the eastern part of NC. Population ~ 20K. Located right on the Neuse river. Several parks in the area. The closest larger city is Greenville. If it wasn't for the Chef and the Farmer, I doubt I would have ever visited Kinston. It just isn't easy to get to, at least for me. Now I was impressed with the downtown area. Most of the buildings were occupied. Several decent shops to see. Art galleries as well. A lot of the shops close around 5 PM so keep that in mind if you visit. Not a lot of bars, but there are places to get a drink, including Mother Earth Brewery. Restaurant scene is decent with low end, diners, middle of the road restaurants and higher end. There is free parking in lots right in downtown. If you are into Civil War history, the CSS Neuse museum is right in downtown. I found downtown safe and not real congested. There were even scooters on the sidewalks for rent. We don't have scooters in Wilmington and they have the here. Crazy.

Downtown Kinston has a lot of potential from restaurants to museums to art galleries to stores. But…read morea lot of these businesses are not open during the advertised hours. There were signs that said "open" but the doors are locked. Then others were "closed" but the opening hours were to be open during that time. At least some businesses were open the day I was in town so I could shop and dine.

Along a rather unremarkable stretch of US-258 between Jacksonville and Richlands, this roadside…read moremarker points out some of the Colonial era history of the era. The marker reads, "Lot Ballard House. Bishop Francis Asbury stopped there many times between 1799 and 1815 on visits to New River Chapel. House was 3/4 miles west." Online, there is more information. "Francis Asbury, pioneer of Methodism, arrived in America in 1771. For the next forty-five years he traveled about 6,000 miles per year, extending the Methodist faith from Maine to Georgia and west to Ohio. Asbury's first visit to North Carolina was in 1780. He is believed to have traveled to the state seventy-two times. During his journeys, the renowned circuit rider was welcomed into the homes of followers. Asbury visited Onslow County twelve times, each time taking respite in the home of Lot Ballard." "Lot Ballard has been described as the first Methodist in Onslow County. He undoubtedly was involved with the church prior to Asbury's first visit. By 1802 Lot Ballard had moved his home "out among the woods," having apparently moved his house and joined it with his father's "old mansion."" Friendly and welcoming folks in this part of North Carolina. I hope that hasn't changed. [Review 15629 overall - 3077 in North Carolina - 1133 of 2021.]

This is another beautiful little town in eastern North Carolina. I've been here several times over…read morethe years. And now you can see some new development happening around town. This is because Jacksonville is getting to big, and folks are building here now. I hope this town can slow the process down a bit so they can keep that little town feeling. Now they offer some good eating restaurants around the area. They also have some nice liitle shops there too. Matter of fact I just saw a new BBQ joint along they way. So next time I here I'm surely to pay them a visit. Now if you are near come check out this little town before it is consumed by the city of Jacksonville.

The marker is located in front of the famous Pepsi Store where Caleb Bradham invented the…read moreworld-famous drink. Yes, it all happened here. "Is Pepsi okay?" The marker reads, "Caleb Bradham, 1867-1934. 'Brad's Drink' which he created in pharmacy here, was marketed as Pepsi-Cola after 1898." Online, there is more information. "Around the world, from Prague to Bangkok, the name Pepsi-Cola is known to the masses. The carbonated soft drink's popularity stems in part from shrewd marketing, driven for decades by the company's rivalry with its competitor, Coca-Cola. Both products originated in the American South, Coca-Cola in Atlanta, where the corporation is headquartered and visitors are welcomed to a Coke museum, and New Bern, the small eastern North Carolina town where Pepsi originated." "In the mid 1890s he produced a popular item which he called "Brad's Drink" and later "Pep-Kola." The key ingredients were coca leaf and kola nut. In 1898 Bradham changed the name to "Pepsi-Cola" and, in 1902, left the pharmacy to devote full time to the soft drink business. "Pepsi-Cola" was filed as a trademark in September 1902 and registered in 1903. The Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated in December 1902. Bradham's friend and New Bern neighbor, pioneering female photographer Bayard Wootten, created the distinctive first logo." "The name of Caleb Bradham and the name of Pepsi are well-remembered in New Bern and in North Carolina. Bradham endowed an annual prize at the pharmacy school at the University of North Carolina. At the height of his acclaim and influence, he had his name mentioned as a potential candidate for governor. He was an active Shriner, bank officer, and a rear admiral in the North Carolina Naval Reserve." Me, I avoid cola drinks. Too much sugar, too many chemicals. I haven't had a Coke in at least five years and a Pepsi in even longer. But they've both diversified and acquired. Minute Maid is owned by one. Aquafina and Dasani water are owned by them too. [Review 18896 overall - 3380 in North Carolina - 2419 of 2022.]