This marker near Edenton's Historic District points out how people got around back in the days…read morebefore concrete and steel bridges. The marker reads, "Mackey's Ferry. Established 1735 over Albemarle Sound, succeeding Bells Ferry. Discontinued in 1938. Northern terminus was four blocks south." It is marker number A-27. In the early 1700s, ferries like Mackey's and Street's were vital for transporting people and goods across eastern North Carolina's waterways, especially as settlement in the Albemarle region grew. These ferries were typically flatboats or rope-pulled vessels. One key crossing, established in the 1730s on Kendrick's Creek in present-day Washington County, began as Thomas Bell's Ferry and was later acquired by William Mackey in 1735. Mackey operated the ferry into the 1750s, adjusting fees and responding to growing demand. Though the ferry evolved over time--from rope-pulled to sail, steam, and diesel--it remained in use until 1938, when a steel bridge replaced it near Kendrick's Creek. The marker was erected in 1942 by the North Carolina State Historical Commission. There is room to stop here. Or continue four blocks south to see where it used to land. [Review 855 of 2025 - 4285 in North Carolina - 24412 overall] [13/20]

The Barker House in Edenton, North Carolina, is a storied landmark that blends architectural…read moreelegance with deep historical resonance. Built in 1782 for Thomas and Penelope Barker, the home originally stood two blocks north of its current location and began as a modest Federal-style parlor wing and half hall. Penelope Barker is best known for organizing the Edenton Tea Party in 1774, a bold act of protest in which 51 women signed a petition against British taxation--making it one of the earliest political demonstrations by women in America. Unlike the Boston Tea Party, these women signed their names and sent the petition directly to King George III, drawing international attention and criticism from British newspapers. Since relocated (yes, they moved it two blocks), it now serves as Edenton's Welcome Center and the headquarters of the Edenton Historical Commission. Stop in for information about Edenton sights and history. I wasn't staying long here, but I was helped by friendly folks who clearly love their town. [Review 839 of 2025 - 4269 in North Carolina - 24398 overall]

We were greeted by an excellent curator that provided us a very warm Welcome into the Barker House…read more The house is a beautiful step back in time with period antiques and a very nice gift shop. I purchased a Tea House cookbook and was amazed by the recipes along with beautiful historical notes of the area. You must stop in while visiting Edenton!

I spotted the marker before the house. It points out the residence of a former jurist before and…read moreduring the Civil War era. The marker reads, "Asa Biggs. 1811-1876. U.S. Senator, 1855-1858. Federal and Confederate judge. Member of state conventions in 1835 and 1861. Lived 1 block N." Biggs played influential roles at both the state and national levels. Educated locally and admitted to the bar in 1831, Biggs began his career in law and politics by representing Martin County at the 1835 state Constitutional Convention. He served in the North Carolina House of Commons and Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1845 and later to the U.S. Senate in 1855. Disenchanted with Washington, he resigned in 1858 to become a federal district judge. During the Civil War, Biggs aligned with the Confederacy, serving as a Confederate judge and supporting secession and slavery. After the war, he resumed legal practice and later entered business in Norfolk, where he died in 1878. His restored 1835 home in Williamston is the town's oldest. It reflects both Greek Revival and Federal architectural styles. It is open to the public for viewing. [Review 829 of 2025 - 4259 in North Carolina - 24388 overall]

I have not seen too many markers in North Carolina that point out the original inhabitants of the…read moreland and so this was interesting. It is marker number A-46 and it has the same text on both sides. It reads, "The principal town of the Weapemeoc Indians, visited by Ralph Lane and his colonists in 1585-1586, stood near present-day Edenton." The Weapemeoc were an Algonquian-speaking tribal confederation that once inhabited northeastern North Carolina between the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound. Their main town, Weapemeoc, lay along the Perquimans River, and their territory included several present-day counties. Comprising tribes like the Pasquotank, Perquimans, Poteskeet, and Yeopim, they were culturally linked to both the Powhatan and Pamlico peoples. During the late 1500s, under Chief Okisco, the Weapemeoc encountered English explorers but remained largely passive, influenced by their small numbers and swampy terrain. Though pressured by the powerful Chowanoac chief Menatonon to align with the English crown, Okisco chose neutrality and retreated inland. Over the next century, the Weapemeoc Confederacy steadily declined due to disease, conflict, assimilation, and colonial expansion. By 1730, only a small group remained in a reserved settlement on the North River, and by 1735, their tribal identity had faded from official recognition. The marker was erected in 1990 by Division of Archives and History. It stands today in front of a small hardware store where there is parking. [Review 854 of 2025 - 4284 in North Carolina - 24411 overall] [12/20]

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) monument in Hertford is a rare and deeply significant…read moretribute to African American soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War. Located on Academy Green at the corner of King and Hyde Park Streets, it stands as one of the oldest monuments in the nation dedicated broadly to Black Union soldiers and not just to specific individuals or regiments. Erected in 1910 by African American women of the "United Daughters of Veterans" in collaboration with the First Baptist Church (still active, across the street), the monument honors those who served in what they called the "War of 1861-1865," a deliberate phrasing that sidestepped the divisive labels of "War Between the States" or "War of the Rebellion." There are other USCT markers around and I will need to keep an eye out for them on my travels - in Wilmington's National Cemetery, at Fort Negley in Nashville and at the Vicksburg National Military Park. Check https://jubiloemancipationcentury.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/monuments-to-the-united-states-colored-troops-usct-the-list/ for more. I would not have known about this marker if it wasn't for the context marker added to the Confederate Soldiers' marker at the Perquimans County courthouse nearby. This one here is across from the church and next to the cemetery. [Round number review 4300 in North Carolina - 872 of 2025 - 24429 overall]

This stuff is phenomenal! It is beautiful, well deserved, well maintained, and well staffed. The…read moreRoanoke River is absolutely gorgeous and the accompanying grounds are immaculate. There is the Welcome Center there that we went into and the women were total sweethearts. It didn't appear that they got much business because they were very glad to hear that the three of us were all from different cities in Florida so when we signed the register book it was three different cities along with three different names. These women were totally in character for this part of the country and you could feel the butter melt with their warmth and kindness. The National refuge was really unexpected and quite beautiful. It was informational and educational. This was one of the best stops we unexpectedly made on our road trip. Just goes to show you never know what you're going to find when you pull over and stop in to someplace new, no matter where it is in the country. What's a girl to do? Hey, when you're on a road trip you want to stop and see and do everything so take your time and see as much as you can.

The Cashie River Center at the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing, little-known…read moreresource in the area. I live just 20 miles away and had overlooked the place. I didn't know what I was missing! It has a nice little museum-type display inside with info about local wildlife--animals and plants. The carry all the science type of stuff that you'd expect, and it fascinated my daughter. The people who work there are volunteers, and they are absolutely knowledgable about the area. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I discovered that they give free nature boat rides in the summer. I will def come back for that when it starts for the season.

This marker is located on Queen Street in Edenton's Historic District. It is not far from the…read moreIredell home which you may want to visit for more information. The marker reads, "James Iredell, Jr. 1788-1853. Governor, 1827-28; U.S. Senator; and legislator. Compiler of revisal of N.C. laws. His home two blocks south; grave at Hayes one mile S.E." James Iredell Jr. (1788-1853) was a prominent North Carolina statesman and legal scholar, born into a family of deep political influence in Edenton. Educated at Princeton, he returned home to practice law and serve in the War of 1812, eventually becoming a brigadier general. His political career included multiple terms in the General Assembly, a brief governorship, and a U.S. Senate seat. Afterward, he devoted himself to legal reform, teaching, and published an authoritative three-volume digest of court cases in the state from 1778 to 1845.. He and his wife, Francis Johnston Treadwell, raised seven children. Iredell died in Edenton and was buried at Hayes Plantation. [Review 856 of 2025 - 4286 in North Carolina - 24413 overall] [14/20]

I can't say that my review would entirely do this place justice. However, my brief trot through…read morehere at the end of a short hike out of Pettigrew State Park was certainly not wasted. This site is truly tucked away, along with the state park, in the middle of nowhere. To this day the area seems to have avoided any kind of development. I did not stay for a tour as time was tight for me when I visited. But it is the only way to see inside the most significant buildings here - notably the main house. It reminds me a lot of Carver's Creek State Park near Fayetteville, NC where there is a Rockefeller family home preserved. On that note I almost feel it would be better if this site and Pettigrew merged as one entity. What I could see from outside was interesting. A glance back in time is always a great way to remind us where we came from, learn from the past and, hopefully, not repeat certain things again. I was so take by both Pettigrew and Somerset that I would like to take a trip back here again to give it a full day of my time.

Not much to see if you don't want to take the 90 minute tour. The mansion is only accessible on the…read moretour. The visitor center does have some interesting information though. Unfortunately, the signs by the buildings are so old you cannot read them. The buildings that are open aren't marked so you don't learn much about what went on in them. The copied map that labeled the buildings was so poor we could not read it, either. Ironically, the best part about our visit was a conversation with a groundskeeper. He was so friendly and funny we were talking about him all day!