Skip to main content
NC Historic Sites logo NC Historic Sites

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • All Sites
    All Sites
    • Search All Historic Sites
    • Alamance Battleground
    • Bennett Place
    • Bentonville Battlefield
    • Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson
    • Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum
    • CSS Neuse and Gov. Caswell Memorial
    • Duke Homestead
    • Fort Dobbs
    • Fort Fisher
    • Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace
    • Historic Bath
    • Historic Edenton
    • Historic Halifax
    • Historic Stagville
    • Horne Creek Farm
    • House in the Horseshoe
    • N.C. Transportation Museum
    • North Carolina State Capitol
    • President James K. Polk
    • Reed Gold Mine
    • Roanoke Island Festival Park
    • Somerset Place
    • Thomas Wolfe Memorial
    • Town Creek Indian Mound
    • Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace
  • Events
  • News
  • Resources
    Resources
    • COVID-19 Information
    • For Educators
    • Healing on the Land
    • North Carolina in the Civil War
    • Singing on the Land
    • Tour NC History @ Home
    • Collections
    • Site Rules and Regulations
  • About
    About
    • Leadership
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Employment Opportunities
    • FAQ
  • Contact
    Contact
    • Historic Sites Home Office
    • Individual Sites
    • Reservations
  • NC.GOV
  • AGENCIES
  • JOBS
  • SERVICES
NC Historic Sites »   All Sites »   Historic Edenton »   History

History

Edenton has been called "the South's prettiest town." Established in the late 17th century and incorporated in 1722, it is located on Edenton Bay at the head of the Albemarle Sound, ninety miles southwest of Norfolk, Virginia. A town of 5,000 people, Edenton retains an extensive historic district with a wonderful assemblage of 18th, 19th, and early-20th-century buildings.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Edenton was a political, cultural, and commercial center in the colonies and in the fledgling nation. One of it's citizens signed the Declaration of Independence, and another signed the United States Constitution. James Iredell, a local judge, was appointed by George Washington to the very first United States Supreme Court.

Today, the record of accomplishment from earlier days can be seen in the public and private buildings along the streets of this remarkable community, and in the pride its residents take in their past and present. To take a tour of the North Carolina Historic Sites and view a free 13 minute video on the history of Edenton, visit the Historic Edenton Visitor's Center at 108 N. Broad Street, Edenton, 27932. Historic Edenton also offers tours of the life of Harriet Jacobs, who's been referred to as the "female Frederick Douglass".

Other Resources

  • Harriet Jacobs
  • African American Heritage Guide

Files

war1812.pdf

PDF • 10.2 MB - September 27, 2018

Edenton-Harriet-Jacobs-brochure.pdf

PDF • 1.59 MB - November 17, 2020

Historic Edenton

  • Plan Your Visit
  • History
  • For Educators
  • Group Reservations
  • Rentals
  • Support this Site
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Resources

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

How can we make this page better for you?

Back to top

Contact Information

North Carolina Historic Sites

Dobbs Building
430 North Salisbury Street
Suite 2050
Raleigh, N.C. 27603

Mailing Address:
4620 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4620

Phone: 919-814-7150

@NCHistoricSites Twitter

Tweets by@nchistoricsites

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Employee Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
NC Historic Sites
https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/historic-edenton/history