About the Beaufort Historical Association
Preserving Beaufort’s Heritage Since 1960
Founded by Carteret County citizens without grants or public funding, the Beaufort Historical Association has spent over six decades researching, preserving, and interpreting the cultural and architectural heritage of Beaufort and the surrounding coast.
The Association owns and operates the Beaufort Historic Site, a two-acre property in the town’s historic district with six authentically restored buildings, the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, and the Old Burying Grounds. Every program, tour, and research effort is driven by members and volunteers with deep roots in this community.
Independent Since 1960 and Still Going Strong
The Beaufort Historical Association has operated as a private, non-profit organization from day one, without grants or government funding of any kind. That independence reflects exactly how this organization was built: by people who cared enough about Beaufort’s past to fund and run it themselves. That same commitment drives everything the Association does today.
What the Beaufort Historic Site Actually Contains
The Beaufort Historic Site sits at the center of the town’s historic district and covers two acres of authentically preserved Carteret County history. Six restored buildings reflect the architectural character of Beaufort across different periods, giving visitors a grounded, material sense of how people lived and worked here. The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery adds a creative dimension to the site, displaying regional artwork within a historic structure. The Old Burying Grounds, one of the oldest in North Carolina, connects visitors to the earliest documented residents of the area. Taken together, the site functions as a living record of Beaufort’s past.
Research, Documentation and the Long Work of Preservation
Preservation at the BHA goes beyond maintaining buildings. The Association actively researches and documents the peoples, customs, lifestyles, and artifacts of Beaufort’s past, building a body of knowledge that serves historians, genealogists, educators, and curious visitors alike. Archival materials, primary documents, and local records are accessible through the organization’s research program, supported by volunteers with firsthand knowledge of Carteret County history. That ongoing documentation work is what separates the BHA from a standard historic attraction. The goal has always been to understand the past thoroughly enough to pass it on accurately to the next generation.
What Sets the BHA Apart?
The Beaufort Historical Association has built something rare: a fully independent, community-run historic site that has grown stronger over six decades.
Privately Funded From the Start
Six Authentically Restored Buildings
Active Research and Documentation Program
Volunteer and Member Driven
Over 60 Years of Continuous Operation
Located in the Historic District
Come See the Site Yourself
The Beaufort Historic Site is open to visitors, researchers, and school groups throughout the year. Plan your visit or get in touch today.