Built in 1895 as New Bern's Post Office and Federal Building, the New Bern City Hall is one of the city's best examples of Romanesque Revival architecture. The structure with its skyline dominating clock tower was acquired by the city in the mid 1930's and “renovated”. All of the Post Office equipment was removed and the first floor was randomly cut up to provide administrative space. An awareness by the city administration that the structure was valuable in their efforts to improve the image of the city with both the business and the tourism leaders lead to the decision to redesign the first floor offices and to adaptively restore the second floor alderman's chamber [the former Federal Court]. The first phase dealt with the Alderman's Chamber. Damaged  plaster walls,  ceilings, and decorative plaster and woodwork were repaired and refinished under the architects direction. Cabinetwork was  designed to change the space for use as an alderman's chamber while maintaining the original character of the court. The work was accomplished through the combined efforts of the Public Works Department and private workmen contracted with the City all working under the Public Works Director coordinating the work. In contrast to the restoration and rehabilitation of the first phase, the second phase consisted of the of the first floor offices. The ca. 1930s work was fully removed, leaving the existing exterior walls. Original work which was damaged in the 1930s was repaired. New spaces for reception, conference rooms and offices were designed and detailed to reflect the 1990's yet harmonize with the original structure. Today, the New Bern City Hall stands as a testament to New Bern's respect for its history while looking to the future.

New Bern City Hall

New Bern, NC