Begin your exploration in Edenton. One of the best overviews is found by walking the Museum Trail. Doing so will have you begin at the Penelope Barker Welcome Center, dedicated to the memory of her leadership in organizing the first political demonstration by women in the new world. You do not have to start the trail there, but it is a good place to get your bearing.
But, what is a museum trail? The breadth of Edenton’s story simply is too big to fit inside a single structure unless you want to forget about the original and still standing historic buildings that are part of this little town’s amazing contribution to the creation of the United States and to North Carolina. Their contents go beyond buildings to include stories about amazing people who served as the first colonial Governor (Charles Eden) of North Carolina; told a King “NO” (Penelope Barker); signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (Hugh Williamson) and helped write both; created our first navy (Joseph Hewes); served as George Washington’s appointee to the very first U. S. Supreme Court (James Iredell); and many U. S. Senators, Representatives and Governors of North Carolina and slaves who became highly respected, freed, real estate owners, carpenters and builders of churches and homes around Edenton.
To see the list of Museum Trail sites and view the walkable map, check out this Penelope Barker Welcome Center site. Walking from there you’ll see the 1767 Historic Courthouse (oldest in-use courthouse in the country), the home of James Iredell, one of George Washington’s appointees to the first US Supreme Court (by the way, he was appointed one day and confirmed by the US Senate the next) and many more sites.
Edenton is a great base camp for those wishing to explore the western end of the Albemarle Sound. Site X on Salmon Creek, Somerset Place, Cashie River Center, the Ironclad CSS Albemarle Museum at Plymouth, or the state’s oldest brick home at Hertford.
Nicholas Sparks’ The Rescue is set in Edenton, North Carolina. VisitNC.com has created a special 3-day Spark’s itinerary, which begins at Edenton:
- Day 1: Start your exploration of Nicholas Sparks country on North Carolina’s coast in the pretty river town of Edenton, where Sparks set The Rescue.
- Day 2: Take U.S. 17 through the small towns of Williamston and Washington before settling into New Bern, where Sparks lives, works and has set several of his novels.
- Day 3: Head down the coast through Swansboro and on to “Hollywood East” in Wilmington before ending your exploration of Nicholas Sparks country in Southport, the setting for the recent Sparks hit novel and film, Safe Haven.
Check out their more fully detailed suggested Spark’s route.
Somerset Place Historic Site is just a 30-minutes away. The Plantation was developed by Edentonians Nathaniel Allen, Samuel Dickinson, Josiah Collins and other investors. Samuel Dickinson lived in the Cupola House and Josiah Collins’ descendants still live in the Homestead. The Plantation eventually consisted of over 100,000 acres adjacent to Lake Phelps. Check their site for hours and events.
Roanoke Cashie River Center (pronounced ca shy) offers a great opportunity to learn more about the rivers and streams feeding the Albemarle Sound. The Center’s Facebook page has current information about hours and events.
Been To An Estuarium Recently? How often have you visited an Estuarium? Few exist and the one at Washington, NC is handy and informative. 223 East Water Street, Washington. What exactly is an estuarium? Odds are that you do not live near an estuarium, which is defined as the wide part of a river where it nears the sea, fresh and salt water mix. You can reach the folks in Washington via by telephone at 252.948.0000 or check out the the scheduled activities on their web site, for details.
Artist Retreat and Chowan Arts Council

The Peanut Factory
The Chowan arts Council is near the waterfront on South Broad and offers art for sale, special showings and many exciting engagements with regional artists. Check out their latest.
Retirees with an artistic interest and other artists are learning about plans to create an Artist Retreat in Edenton. The developers plan to offer work space to visiting artists and create studio space for all types of art endeavors: painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, etc. Have a neat idea for your retirement? Contact them and see what you can create.
The Artist’s Retreat is located in an old peanut warehouse, thus the name “Peanut Factory,” which stood vacant and ignored for decades. It is being converted into a artist’s work space at 916 Badham Road, Edenton. For more information, see their Facebook page.