Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, New Bern, North Carolina
Tryon Palace was built between 1767 and 1770 and was the first permanent capital of the colony of North Carolina. Governor Tryon and several other governors used the Palace before and after the American Revolution before Raleigh became the state capital in 1794. On April 21, 1791, George Washington was the guest of honor at a gala dinner and dance held at the Palace.
Restoration of the site began in 1951 and the Palace was opened to the public in 1959. In those early years efforts were made to furnish the Palace with carpets believed to be appropriate to a fine mansion of the late 18th century. Later scholarship has made it clear that this assumption was not accurate as no evidence has been found that oriental carpets of any kind were used on floors in North Carolina in this period.
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens is driven by its mission to tell the story of late 18th century North Carolina and, as the carpets were not part of this story, they were appropriately deaccessioned. The carpets have been in storage for about 30 years. Funds derived from the deaccession and sale of objects are used entirely for the purchase of more historically appropriate objects.
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens embraces its mission to engage present and future generations in the history of North Carolina from early settlement and development of statehood through the mid-twentieth century by collecting, interpreting and preserving objects, building, landscapes and events that enrich understanding of the making of our state and nation.
The furniture, paintings, silver, ceramics, glass and many other historic objects in the Tryon Palace Collection offer visitors a look at the coastal region of North Carolina of the 18th and 19th centuries. This remarkable collection of over 6,500 objects is on display throughout the Palace, the 1779 John Bright Stanly House, the ca. 1830 Dixon House, the 1816 Hay House and the New Bern Academy Museum in the 1809 Academy.
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum features 14 acres of historic gardens and landscapes. More than 90,000 visitors participate in exciting programs and tours annually. For additional information visit www.tryonpalace.org
Courtesy of Brunk Auctions, September 2009