Bethel Heritage Center

Bethel Heritage Center The Bethel Heritage Center is a museum located in Bethel, Pitt County, North Carolina.

Basketball holds a special place in Bethel's history, and that legacy is represented in the mural at the Bethel Pitt Sto...
09/05/2026

Basketball holds a special place in Bethel's history, and that legacy is represented in the mural at the Bethel Pitt Stop.

The basketball imagery in the new Pitt Stop Mural is not tied to one specific time, team, or school. Instead, it nods to the importance of the sport in the community and the generations of Bethel students, athletes, families, and fans who made basketball such an important part of life in town.

One example of that history is the 1948 Bethel High School basketball team, whose championship season became part of Bethel's athletic legacy.

You can explore a piece of that history for yourself on our website, where visitors can view the digitized scrapbook of Bill Smith, a member of the 1948 championship team. His scrapbook offers a personal glimpse into Bethel basketball and the people who were there.

🔗 Explore Bill Smith’s scrapbook:
https://bethelheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BillSmithScrapBook.pdf

What did Bethel look like in 1973?Through the photographs of Eldon Coltrain, we get a glimpse of the people, places, bus...
09/04/2026

What did Bethel look like in 1973?

Through the photographs of Eldon Coltrain, we get a glimpse of the people, places, businesses, streets, and everyday moments that made up life in Bethel nearly 55 years ago.

Photo 2: Bethel Manufacturing Company

📷 Photographs by Eldon Coltrain
Bethel Heritage Center Archives

A little piece of Bethel history from September 2, 1923!This notice, published in the News and Record of Greensboro, ann...
09/02/2026

A little piece of Bethel history from September 2, 1923!

This notice, published in the News and Record of Greensboro, announced that the Town of Bethel was seeking bids for the materials and construction of an electric transmission line from Greenville to Bethel.

The proposed line would stretch approximately 13.5 miles, using wood poles with steel crossarms. The project was being overseen by the Town of Bethel, with plans and specifications available through the town's engineer in Greenville.

Nearly 103 years ago, Bethel was taking another step toward modernization and growth. Electricity was becoming an important part of everyday life, and this notice captures the town actively working to bring that infrastructure to its residents and businesses.

It's easy to take something as basic as electricity for granted today, but historic records like this remind us that the Bethel we know today was built through generations of investment, planning, and progress.

Newspaper: Sunday, September 2, 1930. News and Record. Greensboro. N.C.

Bethel 1973What did Bethel look like in 1973?Through the photographs of Eldon Coltrain, we get a glimpse of the people, ...
09/01/2026

Bethel 1973

What did Bethel look like in 1973?

Through the photographs of Eldon Coltrain, we get a glimpse of the people, places, businesses, streets, and everyday moments that made up life in Bethel nearly 55 years ago.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing photographs from this collection and taking a look back at Bethel as it was in 1973.

Some faces may be familiar. Some places have changed. Others may be gone altogether. Each photograph captures a moment in the life of this community—and together, they help tell the story of Bethel.

Photo 1: Bethel Potato Market

📷 Photographs by Eldon Coltrain
Bethel Heritage Center Archives

Here’s another glimpse into Bethel’s past!On August 30, 1922, The Daily Southerner reported that Bethel businessmen were...
08/30/2026

Here’s another glimpse into Bethel’s past!

On August 30, 1922, The Daily Southerner reported that Bethel businessmen were making plans to construct a cotton storage warehouse in town.

The article names J. B. Bunting and F. L. Blount of Bethel, who traveled to consult with T. M. Ammons about the proposed project. According to the newspaper, Bethel’s business leaders were already working on their plans and hoped to begin construction “at once.”

Cotton was an important part of the agricultural economy of Eastern North Carolina, and a storage warehouse would have provided an important resource for Bethel’s farmers and business community.

It’s easy to look at a small newspaper clipping like this and overlook its significance. But these brief notices help us piece together the story of Bethel as a growing agricultural and commercial community, one project, one business, and one investment at a time.

Source: The Daily Southerner, August 30, 1922
Photo: From the collections of the Bethel Heritage Center

Do you remember hearing stories about Bethel’s cotton warehouses, cotton trade, or the businesses that once lined downtown? We’d love to hear from you!

Bethel Veterans 2026 — We’re Collecting PhotosEach year, the Bethel Heritage Center honors the men and women from Bethel...
08/29/2026

Bethel Veterans 2026 — We’re Collecting Photos

Each year, the Bethel Heritage Center honors the men and women from Bethel who have served our country by sharing their photographs and stories around Veterans Day.

We are now collecting photographs for the 2026 Bethel Veterans Display.

Do you have a photograph of a Bethel veteran that you would like us to include? We welcome photos of veterans from any branch of service, any era, and whether they are living or deceased. We especially want to make sure the veterans whose stories have been part of Bethel for generations continue to be remembered.

If you have a photo to share, please send it to us through Facebook Messenger or email it to [email protected].

If you have information about the veteran, please include their name, branch of service, approximate years of service, and connection to Bethel if known.

Social News from Bethel - August 28, 1957This article was published in the Rocky Mount Telegram.
08/28/2026

Social News from Bethel - August 28, 1957

This article was published in the Rocky Mount Telegram.

National Dog Day in Bethel!It’s National Dog Day, and we’re celebrating one of the many four-legged friends who have bee...
08/26/2026

National Dog Day in Bethel!

It’s National Dog Day, and we’re celebrating one of the many four-legged friends who have been part of Bethel’s story!

This photo features Floyd Thomas, his Jeep, and his dog, a great snapshot of everyday life in Bethel and a reminder that sometimes the best history is found in the ordinary moments.

Now it’s your turn! 📸

Share a photo of your dog in the comments! Whether they’re a longtime family companion, a farm dog, a town dog, or just the one who runs the house—we want to see them!

🐶 Let’s fill the comments with Bethel’s best dogs!

Photo courtesy of Eldon Coletrain and the Coletrain Family.

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Bethel, NC

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