BHA Grounds Tour (with crossings info)
Guided tour of the BHA grounds and all the wonderful and interesting buildings it is comprised of. This version contains detailed information on the use of crossings and intersections as you make your way through the grounds and nearby historic houses.
Soundscape Community
Image of the Beaufort grounds with a wooden sign hanging on a post indicating "Beaufort Historic Site"

Beaufort historic site entrance
The Beaufort Historic Association Grounds site is comprised of a multiple number of structures, including the John Mason house, which is located across Turner Street. The Historic Grounds location is sandwiched between the Josiah Bell House to the left and the Mattie Mary King Gallery to the right of the gated sidewalk. The grounds site includes four additional historic structures. These are the Leffers Cottage, Carteret County Courthouse, Old Jail, and Apothecary Shop and Doctor’s Office.
The two-acre site is open to the public and is staffed Monday through Saturday year-round.
The entrance to the Beaufort historic site.
Begin your journey into the past as you explore the history of Beaufort, North Carolina. These grounds hold some of the rich history behind the town’s beginning to the present day. You will see a glimpse into why this small town has been an essential part of the United States of America as it has evolved over the past several centuries.
Signage by the entrance
Sign on a wooden cross depicting the Beaufort Historic Site
Waypoint 2
Turner Street entrance to the Beaufort Historical Association. Here you will find delightful historians eager to share their knowledge of Beaufort past and present. Also located inside are great treasures for purchase made by local artisans and a nice fountain to refill your water bottle after the tour.
Start navigating down Turner Street towards Front Street.
Stop in at the beginning or end of your trip for a rest, a chat and a browse.
Store front with entrance to the BHA grounds on Turner St
Waypoint 3: A place to unwind after the tour.
Before crossing Middle Lane you will pass local favorite, Cru Wine and Coffee bar. Here you can grab locally made chocolate and pottery, a refreshing beverage for you or the kiddos, and delicious locally made ice cream or a bite to eat. Make sure to sit awhile during your stay in Beaufort to greet pups walking by and hear stories from sailors passing through. Many evenings you will find lively music inside.
Consider stopping by here to unwind after the tour.
CRU shop selling refreshments with an a-board sign on the sidewalk.
Step 4: Crossing
Prepare to cross Turner at this crossing straight after Middle Lane.
Step 5: Crossing
Cross over Turner and prepare to walk up several stairs.
Turn right on Turner to continue the tour.
Waypoint 4
The John C Mason House and Gardens.
This home is the only one on this tour across the street, but well worth the visit.
Go through the gate for a glimpse of this garden full of native plants and locate a secret back entrance to get to the Maritime Museum. Or walk right up the stairs to the John C Mason House.
Entrance to garden and John C Mason house
Front view of John C Manson house with small tree on sidewalk and 2 parked cars either side of it.
Gate at the side of the house which is attached to a ball and chain!
Waypoint 5: Garden behind John C Mason house
Enter through the gate in the white picket fence just below the Beaufort Historical Site sign and walk through the back yard to this hidden treasure.
Now, continue through to the next waypoint and discover a secret entrance.
Garden with lawn and 2 white benches in front of a hedge
Waypoint 6
Secret entrance in garden to Maritime Museum
At the back of the garden you will come upon a brick path that disappears into the grass. Keep walking to the fence where you will find a secret passageway.
This secret gate will get you right up to the Maritime Museum. Make sure to add the Maritime Museum to your must see list while in Beaufort.
Path, with bushes either side, leading to a white picket fence gate.
Garden with paved rectangular path leading to the gate to the Maritime Museum
Waypoint 7 The John C. Manson House
This house is the award-winning jewel of Beaufort Historic Site’s authentic restoration efforts. This elegant Federal-style house stands on its original site as an excellent example of the Bahamian architecture so prevalent in Beaufort. It now boasts exact replications of the historic decorative faux finishes found on the interior walls and exterior doors of the house. There is an intriguing pollinator garden at the rear of the yard.
Walk back out of the garden and through the white picket fence, then immediately up the stairs to the John C Mason House.
You have arrived at the John C Manson House, circa 1825, 125 Turner Street.
Entrance to house with bench on the deck area
John C Manson house front view
A small planting area with a wooden structure.
Entrance to the pollinator garden.
Sign on white picket fence for the pollinator garden.
Waypoint 8 Shops along the way
As you depart the John C Mason House, turn left back onto Turner Street towards the next cross walk.
Make sure to stop in and visit the shops and antiques Beaufort has to offer along this route.
Shops on the sidewalk with overhanging signs and seating areas in the shade of a small tree.
Sidewalk with shops on the side and a red/white/blue striped flag with Open written on it.
Stop in for a bite or a sip.
Continuing along this block you will also pass somewhere for a refreshing and delicious meal or beverage.
To your left you will find some of Beaufort’s great locally owned establishments. Turner Street Market has grab and go drinks and meals, or stop awhile for a freshly made dish and delectable refreshment. Next you will pass Fishtown Brew House where they brew right on site. Check out local social media channels for trivia, bingo and food trucks here.
Sign for market on Turner St
Step 12 - crossing on Turner St
Turn right and cross back over to the side of Turner you started on.
Step 13: Crossing
Turn right and walk down Turner to continue the tour.
Waypoint 10: Josiah Bell House
The Josiah Bell House, Circa 1825, is a restored Victorian period structure, perched upon its original foundation. The house is furnished to reflect the lifestyle associated to the Victorian period.
From here, the BHA operates an authentic British double decker open bus for tours of Old Town Beaufort.
After turning right on Turner St. walk to the first home on your left and make your way right up those stairs to the Josiah Bell House.
The sprawling front porch of the house is a great place to rock awhile if you need a break.
Entrance to Josiah Bell house, with chairs on the deck
Josiah Bell house
Jingle bell bushes along the Josiah Bell house
Step 15 - Turning
Now, go back on yourself up Turner St again.
Turn right to begin exploring the grounds of the historic site.
Waypoint 11 Leffers Cottage
The Leffers Cottage, circa 1778, is a typical waterfront cottage of early Beaufort, which was moved from its original Front Street location to the Historic Grounds. This preservation provides a representative look into the past living conditions of local citizens of pre 1800 Beaufort. This rustic cottage was once home to Samuel Leffers, a schoolmaster, merchant, and clerk of the court. The primitive house provides the perfect setting to showcase artifacts relating to the daily chores of cooking, spinning, sewing, candle making, and weaving in the Colonial period.
As you descend the steps from the Josiah Bell house, turn right and proceed back up Turner Street. Follow the white picket fence to the little white fence. If you’re wondering what that heavy chain and ball are doing, this is how gates were held shut in heavy winds or to keep passersby from entering. Proceed through the gate and walk straight up into the Leffers Cottage.
Cottage with tree in front
Cottage with white picket fence
Cottage with 3 steps leading to front door
Waypoint 12: Leffers Cottage Garden
The charming Leffers Garden depicts a typical colonial garden that would have been found in the 1800’s. The garden is maintained by Master Gardener Volunteers of Carteret County for use as an educational tool.
Once touring the delightful Leffers Cottage, head back down the stairs and turn left. Just past the house you will come upon the Leffers Cottage garden.
Just past the house you will come upon the Leffers Cottage garden. Take in the scents and sounds as birds, butterflies and bees joyfully play amongst the garden.
Cottage garden with neatly divided sections
Side view of house with garden area in front
Waypoint 13: Entrance to Maze
Continue past the Leffers Cottage Garden and gander through the Maze.
The picture shown was taken from the Josiah Bell House front porch. Kids big and small love to wander through for a bit of fun.
View of garden maze with Leffers Cottage in the background
Waypoint 14: Courthouse
The Carteret County Courthouse, Circa 1796, is the oldest wood-framed courthouse in North Carolina, the courthouse underwent an award-winning restoration between 1997 and 2001. It serves as the backdrop for our courthouse dramatization, an integral tool for educating today’s youth about the early American legal system.
After you are full of giggles from running around the maze, come back out and head towards the Courthouse. If you are looking at the maze, you will turn left. If you are coming out of the maze you will turn right.
Wooden courthouse
Waypoint 15: The Old Jail
The Old Jail, Circa 1829, is the actual former Carteret County jail, which remained in use until 1954. This Old two-story Jailhouse has a single door and three barred windows. A wooden stockade, which represents a historical device used for public punishment, is located in front of the Old Jail. Upon entering the structure, the jail cells, the jail keeper's quarters, a noose, and a pillory, are made available for viewing.
A favorite with children, the Old Jail has 28-inch thick walls and boasts legends of ghosts and a single hanging in 1874. The jailer and his family coexisted here with the prisoners, though the jailer’s quarters were much cozier than those of the inmates. The Jail went through a full restoration which was completed in 2022.
As you descend back down the stairs of the Courthouse, turn left towards the old jail. You will first approach a sign full of history. Find a guide and learn tales rich in history.
Jailhouse with sign in front
Front view of jailhouse
Waypoint 16: Smokehouse
Just past the jail you will come upon a small shack. This is the Smokehouse.
Smokehouse in a shaded area of the garden
Waypoint 17: Old School House
With your back to the Smokehouse, walk straight towards the tiny white building.
This little home is not on the official tour, but will often have doors open and a rope across while the office is open.
Schoolhouse with 2 steps leading up to the door
Entrance to the schoolhouse
Inside the schoolhouse showing a small desk and chair and other furnishings.
Waypoint 18: Apothecary herb garden
The Herb Garden, located behind the Apothecary and Doctor’s Office, features a variety of plants and herbs that are an example of what was used for medicinal and cooking purposes during colonial times. The garden is maintained by Master Gardener Volunteers of Carteret County.
Don’t go too far! Just past the old schoolhouse, stop and explore a bit to your left. Before you head to the Apothecary, make sure to gander at the apothecary herb garden where herbs still grow.
Herb garden next to the Apothecary
Waypoint 19: The Apothecary
The Apothecary Shop & Doctor’s Office, Circa 1859, this historic structure houses a unique collection of medical equipment used by the county’s first pharmacists, doctors, and dentists.
After exploring the herb garden, turn 180 degrees and head towards the front of the Apothecary.
Make sure to reach out and touch history as you come upon Live Oak trees throughout this tour. These amazing species are centuries old and have a large part to play in protecting our coast and planet.
Front of the Apothecary with a tree obscuring the side.
Front view of the Apothecary with a small white bench in front
Waypoint 20: Mary Davis King Art Gallery
The Rustell House, Circa1723, is known now as the Home to the Mary King Davis Art Gallery, which is Carteret County's oldest art gallery. The Mary King Gallery will be featuring the work of the 63rd Old Homes Tour artist, Janet Jaworski, during the event.
The primary tour is complete, but stick around for just a few more delightful treats. Leaving the Apothecary, turn left going around this beautiful Live Oak, wander past one more structure and reach the cobblestone path.
You have arrived at the art gallery. Make sure to step inside for all sorts of magic from local artists. Explore all of the little nooks and crannies as art can be up high or down low and full of surprises.
Side view into Art Gallery showing steps and handrails
Front view of Art Gallery with a sign on the lawn.
Side view of Art Gallery with lamppost in front.
Waypoint 21: Information and Gift Shop
Leaving the Mary King Davis Art Gallery, walk along the cobblestone path as it weaves along more native plants. This last stop brings you right back to the Beaufort Historic Association
At the gift shop, you can refill your water bottles, freshen up, ask about the great things you have explored, learn from artifacts and do a little more shopping. Make sure to enjoy the grounds under the shade trees or at one of the lovely picnic tables. Check the local social media sites for other events at this site
Entrance to the gift shop is a blue door with windows either side