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Historic Buildings
 The
Josiah Bell House is furnished in the Victorian period,
which includes colors and decorations that may seem
gaudy to modern eyes but were appreciated as
demonstrations of wealth in their day. Communities such
as Beaufort were enjoying increased prosperity and
families wanted to display their wealth by showcasing
their homes. Although not the oldest of the homes
 on
the site, the Josiah Bell House is indeed the largest
and most prominent, often being used as a town landmark.
The house was first built as a two-story, four-room
dwelling. However, the present building is vastly
different from the original structure, although the main
body of the house is unchanged. The house has evolved
through the Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian periods
while its present architectural style is representative
of the Bahamian influence common in early Beaufort homes
with its two-tiered porch supported by eight square
columns.
There were at least five owners of the lot before the
house was purchased by Josiah Bell, a gentleman farmer,
in 1825. He served as a tax lister for Bogue Sound
District, was a Justice of the Carteret County Court
from 1816-1819 and would have presided over our
1796 Courthouse. Josiah
Bell added to the original structure of the house with
an additional 10 feet to the rear of the house creating
two more small rooms and a kitchen. The house remained
in the Bell family until 1869.
The Beaufort Historical Association purchased it in
1964. Located on its original site and foundation, the
house has undergone several restorations since its
purchase. Most of the preservation efforts have been
confined to its exterior with paint, a cedar shingle
roof and other minor repairs made necessary because of
hurricane damages. Presently, the Josiah Bell House is a
monument to the era of Queen Victoria with its elegant
antiques and furnishings.
Leffers Cottage, c1778
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Carteret County Courthouse, c1796 | John
C. Manson House, c1825 |
Josiah Bell House, c1825
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The Old Jail, c1829 |
The Apothecary Shop
and Doctor’s Office, c1859
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