New Bern fell to Union forces in March 1862 and, although the Confederacy made several attempts to re-capture it, the city remained in Union hands throughout the remainder of the war. The primary focus of the Civil War period interpretation and programming at Tryon Palace is the 1862 Battle of New Bern, the Union occupation of the town, and the life and recruitment of African Americans in the New Bern area during the war. This chapter of The North Carolina Civil War Experience explores the social and economic impact of Union occupation in New Bern, as well as political and military activity in the region.
This education program, designed for 8th grade students, is one in a series that provides comprehensive, site-based learning experiences concerning the state's Civil War history. The program is a stand-alone unit, but its value is multiplied when combined with one or more additional units. Each program contains at least one supplemental lesson plan. These plans work best in support of the on-site activities, but can also be used if a site visit is not possible.
Tryon Palace is a component for meeting the following NCSCS Goals for 8th Grade Social Studies:
The Civil War storyline at Tryon Palace is a component for meeting the following National Standard for the Social Sciences: