Discover Chowan County

Chowan County invites you to discover history at its actual sites: the Chowan County Courthouse was built around 1767 and is North Carolina’s oldest courthouse still in use. In Edenton, historic buildings, a harbor, and offerings related to water and nature reveal different sides of the destination. You can shape your stay around whether you are especially interested in architecture, history, markets, or activities on the water.

Historic Sites and Their Stories

Edenton Harbor is home to the fully restored Roanoke River Lighthouse, built in 1886. It originally served as a navigation aid for ships traveling through Albemarle Sound into the Roanoke River. Edenton Colonial Wharf conveys the town’s early importance as a trading post and the historic significance of its waterway to the region and the history of the United States. Colonial Park offers views of Edenton Bay and the lighthouse.

The history of the area’s architecture can also be traced through a range of examples. Cupola House was built by Francis Corbin in 1758; it features restored formal gardens in the colonial style. Its interior is furnished with historic pieces dating from 1680 to 1820. Penelope Barker House was built in 1782 by Thomas and Penelope Barker. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is North Carolina’s second-oldest church building and the oldest still in regular use. It was also the first parish in the colony of North Carolina. Kadesh A.M.E. Zion Church, built by Hannibal Badham Jr., is designed in the Gothic Revival style; its spacious sanctuary accommodates 400 people.

Other buildings illustrate Edenton’s industrial and public history. The main building of Edenton Cotton Mill was constructed in 1900 as a brick industrial complex in the Italianate Revival style. The Edenton Cotton Mill Museum of History is located in the former Cotton Mill office building, which is over 100 years old, in Mill Village at 420 Elliott Street. Chowan County Historic Jail in Edenton was built in 1825 by Ebenezer Paine to plans drawn by John Hawk in 1773.

Experience History Along the Way

The Historic Edenton Trolley Tour is a 50-minute guided ride that provides an overview of more than 300 years of Edenton history. The listed tour times are 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations can be made by phone or email through the Barker House Gift Shop and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Check tour times and reservation details before your trip, as operating information may change. The tour combines historical context with a set, manageable time commitment—offering a different way to explore the area than viewing individual buildings on your own.

Markets, Water, and Nature

The Edenton Farmers Market is held every Saturday from April through December. A winter market is held on Saturdays in January and February; an additional market takes place on Wednesdays from April through the end of November. Depending on when you travel, you can make a different market day part of your stay.

Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards can be rented at Edenton Harbor daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; check rental hours before your visit. The Edenton National Fish Hatchery offers a different perspective on nature: a 200-foot-long, wheelchair-accessible elevated boardwalk leads through a hardwood wetland forest and ends at a fishing pier. Harbor activities and the wetland trail each offer a distinct focus—on the water or along an elevated walkway.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first decide which experiences you want to shape your trip: historic buildings and guided history, a seasonal market day, activities on the water, or nature in the wetland forest. These interests can guide your search without letting any one theme define your entire stay. If you want to combine several interests, consider the location that best suits your vacation plans when choosing a place to stay. The variety of places described makes Chowan County appealing to travelers who want to include culture and water-based experiences in their plans.

Discover More Destinations: Burke County, Cleveland, Henderson, Jackson, Pitt, Surry County, Edgecombe County.

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