Step Into Beaufort’s Past
At the heart of Beaufort’s historic district, the Beaufort Historic Site brings three centuries of coastal Carolina life into focus. Six authentically restored buildings, a working art gallery, and the Old Burying Ground sit on two acres tended by a community of staff, members and volunteers who have kept this special place alive without public funding since 1960.
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Tour Beaufort
The Old Beaufort Shop
What You’ll Find:
The Historic Site offers a range of ways to connect with Beaufort’s past, whether you’re visiting for an afternoon or diving deep into local genealogy.
Guided Walking Tours
Old Burying Ground
Mattie King Davis Art Gallery
Research & Archives
Membership Program
Group & School Programs
BHA Has Run on Community Support for Over 60 Years
The Beaufort Historical Association has maintained and expanded the Historic Site for over 60 years without relying on government funding. That independence comes from members, donors and volunteers who believe Carteret County’s past is worth protecting. Every ticket sold, every membership renewed, and every donation goes directly into the preservation and interpretation of Beaufort’s cultural and architectural heritage. If that matters to you, please be involved!
Why BHA Has Lasted Over 60 Years:
The Beaufort Historical Association is one of the few historic preservation organizations in North Carolina owned and operated as a non-profit, sustained by private support since its founding. Here’s what that means in practice.
Founded by Local Citizens
Six Authentically Restored Buildings
Every structure on the two-acre site has been restored to reflect historical standards, allowing visitors unique opportunities to walk in and through history.
Independent and Non-Profit
While receiving occasional private or government grants for specific restoration projects on the Site, private funding allows the organization’s priorities to be set by its members.
Mission and Vision Driven
The BHA owns and operates the Beaufort Historic Site as a living history center preserving the stories, customs, lifestyles, architecture, and artifacts of Beaufort’s past to share with present and future generations.
Volunteer-Centered
The association runs on authentic community investment. Volunteers bring their talents, knowledge, experience, regional pride, and dedication to every interaction.
Located in the Historic District of Beaufort
Situated central to the town’s historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, the Site is walkable, accessible, and surrounded by Beaufort’s broader architectural story.
Heard From Visitors:
The History of Carteret County Starts Here
The Beaufort Historic Site is open and ready for visitors, researchers, and anyone curious about what life on this stretch of the North Carolina coast actually looked like.