Beaufort Historic Site

Visit the Beaufort Historic Site this fall to take advantage of the great events and programs for visitors and residents alike. Set in the heart of the charming historic district and boasting a corps of dedicated volunteers, the site consists of eleven buildings, nine of which are historic, on almost two acres of land.

The Beaufort Historical Association (BHA) strives to both preserve local history and educate the public about this unique coastal heritage.  Started in 1960, the current BHA accomplishes their original mission by providing various informational tours and special programs throughout the year.

Historic Site Tours - Daily tours of six authentically restored houses and civic buildings are led by docents in period dress Monday through Saturday year-round at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Tours begin at the Safrit Historical Center, 130 Turner Street. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12 years old.

Double-Decker Bus Tours - Hop aboard and see Beaufort's Historic District from atop the BHA's "new" 1967 English double-decker bus. Lively narrated tours impart the folklore of old Beaufort to riders Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, April through October. Tours depart from the Safrit Center at 130 Turner Street. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12 years old.

Old Burying Ground Tours - Majestic Live Oak trees enshroud the historic gravesites within this cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A guide leads groups through the cemetery telling tales of its inhabitants.  Tours are offered from June through September, Tuesday - Friday at 2:30 pm. For a minimal donation, brochures for self-guided tours are offered year-round in the BHA Visitors Center at 130 Turner Street.  Tours are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12 years old.

The Safrit Historical Center - The BHA's Visitor Information Center is open year round. Complete with brochures, maps, and friendly faces to answer questions, this is a good starting point for first-timers as well as returning visitors to Beaufort.  Residents frequent the Safrit Center to keep up-to-date on area happenings and to browse through the Old Beaufort Shop, the BHA's museum gift shop.  Now on display is an exhibit chronicling the amazing heritage of this small seaport village entitled, "300 years of Maritime History in Beaufort".

Old Beaufort Shop - Look for special sales at the Shop as the winter holidays approach. Located in the Safrit Historical Center at 130 Turner Street, the shop has a wide variety of hand-woven rugs and place mats, hand-dipped beeswax candles, hand-woven baskets, children's toys, unique gifts and books on Beaufort and North Carolina. Members of the Beaufort Historical Association receive a 10% discount on Old Beaufort Shop merchandise.

Mattie King Davis Art Gallery - Housed within the historic Rustell House c1732, the art gallery is the oldest in Carteret County. Open year-round, the gallery is located on the grounds of the Historic Site and features the work of over 100 local and regional artists. Diverse works in both medium and style are available for purchase. The gallery features artists every month; for the months of August and September Hsi Mei Yates is featured, for the month of October Fall Party artist's Mike Hoyt is featured, and Jim Wood is featured for the months of November and December. The gallery is staffed by artists and volunteers and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Warped Weavers - This group of volunteers creates beautiful rugs, placemats, pillows, and much more on antique looms. They demonstrate weaving in the Leffers Cottage c1778 throughout the year on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The Beaufort Herb Society - Another volunteer group that helps keep the Beaufort Historic Site running smoothly, they maintain the herb garden located behind the Apothecary Shop c1859 and also sell herbs and plants to benefit the programs of the Beaufort Historical Association. They meet Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am.

100 Block Turner Street, Beaufort, NC
(252) 728-5225 | (800) 575-SITE (7483)
www.beauforthistoricsite.org
beauforthistoricsite@earthlink.net

For more information about the BHA's many seasonal events, stop by the Safrit Historical Center at 130 Turner Street, call (252) 728 - 5225, or visit www.beauforthistoricsite.org.