Historic Bath State Historic Site

Historic Bath State Historic Site Come and visit Historic Bath State Historic Site, the First Town, First Port, to learn about, and experience, a portion of North Carolina's unique history! St.

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Historic Bath State Historic Site resides on land once inhabited by indigenous members of Algonquian-speaking language groups. By the late 1600s, European settlers had established homesteads in the Bath area, and in 1705 Bath became the first incorporated town in North Carolina. In 1716, the Port of Bath became the first official port in North

Carolina. Bath’s early years were marked by political rivalries, armed conflict, and piracy. After its tumultuous beginnings, industries such as naval store production and agriculture maintained the small town throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. These industries were supported by laborers, artisans, and merchants, including enslaved and free men and women. When Beaufort County government moved to newly-formed Washington in 1785, Bath lost most of its importance and commerce. While Bath is no longer a center of trade, the original town limits encompass a historic district today. At Historic Bath, you can visit two historic homes, the Exhibit Center, and a 1-mile walking tour. Thomas's Church is also open to the public. The Exhibit Center and Vanderveer House are wheelchair-accessible. The walking tour may be driven if desired.

Historic Bath was featured on PBS NC Weekend!
05/28/2026

Historic Bath was featured on PBS NC Weekend!

Take in the charm and flavors of North Carolina’s coast, from oceanfront stays to fresh seafood.

Remembering our brave heroes this Memorial Day.
05/25/2026

Remembering our brave heroes this Memorial Day.

BathFest is tomorrow!
05/08/2026

BathFest is tomorrow!

04/22/2026

A rare, recently discovered eyewitness pen-and-ink sketch from 1777 of the Continental Army’s North Carolina Brigade is coming to North Carolina for the first time, on loan from the Museum of the American Revolution.

A full schedule of exhibition sites within North Carolina is forthcoming- stay tuned! To kick off the sketch’s tour of the state, the illustration will be displayed at the North Carolina State Capitol for one day only, Wednesday, May 13, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. No reservation is needed to view the sketch during the day.

That evening at 6 p.m., the public is invited to a reception and special viewing of the North Carolina Brigade Sketch at the State Capitol, including a conversation with Matthew Skic, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required and space is limited.

🔗 Register to attend: https://forms.office.com/g/m2Tp8hiFJA

🎨 credit: “An exact representation of a waggon belonging to the north carolina brigade of continental troops which passed thro Philadelphia.” Drawn by Pierre Eugène du Simitière. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1777. Ink on Paper

Museum of the American Revolution, Gift of Judith Hernstadt; Conserved with support from the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, 2023.16.01

Big thank you to the Historic Bath Garden Club for helping us with the Van Der Veer House Garden today!
04/22/2026

Big thank you to the Historic Bath Garden Club for helping us with the Van Der Veer House Garden today!

We will not be offering tours on Saturday, April 11th, due to being short staffed. Some of our staff will be at Historic...
04/10/2026

We will not be offering tours on Saturday, April 11th, due to being short staffed. Some of our staff will be at Historic Halifax, helping with the 250th commemoration of the Halifax resolves.

Historic Bath will be closed on Friday April 3rd. We will reopen Saturday April 4th.
04/02/2026

Historic Bath will be closed on Friday April 3rd. We will reopen Saturday April 4th.

The Historic Bath State Dock is back open.
04/01/2026

The Historic Bath State Dock is back open.

Happy 321st anniversary to Bath!
03/08/2026

Happy 321st anniversary to Bath!

Address

100 S. Harding Street
Bath, NC
27808

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12527416030

Website

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