BHA Grounds Tour - ER version
Guided tour of the Beaufort historic grounds.
Soundscape Community
Signpost at entrance to the BHA grounds

Step 1
Tour Begins Here
Offices of the Beaufort Historic Association. This is the start and end place for the guided tour. Use the spatial audio technology queues within the Soundscape Community app to guide you through this tour.
Welcome to the home of the Beaufort Historical Association. This site contains multiple structures, artifacts and tales starting from the early 1700’s until today. Let’s get started! As you proceed to each stop, you can utilize the Soundscape Communities app containing pictures and audio from a local Beaufort storyteller sharing more about the sites, history and town.
Welcome signpost to the BHA adjacent to a white picket fence and gate
Step 2
Crosswalk on Turner Street
This step will guide you as you walk along one of Beaufort’s most popular streets. Peruse the shops and stops as you walk South on Turner Street to the first crosswalk. With the Beaufort Historical Association Site to your left, walk down Turner Street and cross over Middle Lane.
Entrance to Cru has a small A-board sign outside it
Turner St entrance to the BHA gift shop
Step 3
Turner Street Crosswalk
Just past Middle Lane turn right towards a crosswalk. A rumble strip leads you into the crosswalk. Keep your ears alert as many folks roll by gazing at the sites and can sometimes miss walkers by. You know you are safely across the street after reaching the next rumble strip. Take a step over the curb and up two stairs then turn right on the sidewalk along Turner Street.
You are now on the West side of Turner Street
John C Manson House and Manson Pollinator Garden entrance
Make your way to the entrance for the John C Manson House and Manson Pollinator Garden. Walk past a few storefronts to reach the next Beaufort Historic Site sign.
You have arrived at the entrance to the John C Manson House and the Manson Pollinator Garden.
Side view of the Manson house
Manson Pollinator Garden
Head towards the Manson Pollinator Garden by turning left at the Beaufort Historic Site sign. You will pass through the short white gate. Walk along the brick walkway and the across the yard until you come upon the next brick walkway.
You have arrived at the entrance to the Manson Pollinator Garden
Red brick path with flower beds either side and a wooden ornament in the middle
Hidden entrance to the North Carolina Maritime Museum
Discover a hidden entrance at the back of the garden leading to the North Carolina Maritime Museum. As you walk around the garden, you will come upon a brick path seemingly leading to nowhere. Turn down this path and walk right up to the fence at the back of the garden.
You are now standing in front of the hidden entrance between the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Manson Pollinator Garden.
White picket fence with sign on it
Secret entrance via a white picket gate
John C Manson House, Circa 1825 located at 125 Turner Street
As you complete the garden loop, head back through the yard, along the paved walkway and back through the little white fence. Take an immediate left and head up the stairs to the John C Manson home.
You have reached the John C Manson House
Porch area showing the door with a long wooden bench to the side.
Front view of the Manson house, with a tree on the sidewalk and cars parked either side of it
Crosswalk to the East side of Turner Street
Let’s take a gander at what Beaufort has to offer as we navigate back up turner Street towards the next crosswalk. When you walk out of the John C Manson House, descend the stairs, turn left and walk a few steps, then left again. You are now back on the sidewalk on the West side of Turner Street. Listen to the audio file in the Soundscape Community app to learn more about the sites along the way.
You have reached the Crosswalk leading to the East side of Turner Street.
Sidewalk with large hanging sign saying "Ocean Outfitterz" with small tables and chairs.
Sidewalk with red, white, blue striped flag with Open written on it
Sign indicating the market underneath the wooden eaves of the roof
East Side of Turner Street
As you come upon the crosswalk, turn right from the sidewalk and cross the first rumble strip. Stay on the brick paved walkway and cross one more rumble strip. After crossing the second rumble strip, you have crossed the street.
You have reached the East side of Turner Street and are facing the fence surrounding the Beaufort Historical Association grounds. A delightful maze has been meticulously grown and groomed on the other side of this fence. We will explore this a bit more later. Take a right towards the next stop.
The Josiah Bell House circa 1825.
Let’s head to the next stop on this tour, the Josiah Bell House. Now that you have crossed the street and turned right, proceed to the first home on the left. Here you will ascend four steps to the front door
You have reached the Josiah Bell House, circa 1825.
Porch area with 2 white rocking chairs
Jingle bell bushes around a white picket fence
The Leffers Cottage, circa 1778
Now let’s head to the Leffers Cottage. After exploring the Josiah Bell House, descend the stairs and turn right on the sidewalk heading towards your next stop. Walk along the white picket fence until you reach a small gate often held closed by a ball and chain. These are used to keep fences closed during heavy winds. Enter through the white gate and walk straight up to the Leffers Cottage and up several steps to the front door.
Leffer's cottage with live oak tree
Side view of Leffers cottage with small garden and lamp post in front of the white wooden building
Maze
As you descend the steps of the Leffers Cottage turn left passing the Live Oak Tree, Leffers Cottage Garden, and walk straight up to the entrance of the Maze. This maze has been meticulously groomed and maintained. Its walls are made from native plants and shrubs.
Maze with white house and trees in the background.
Carteret County Courthouse, circa 1996
After you are full of giggles from playing in the maze, let’s head to the Carteret County Courthouse, circa 1796. If you are looking at the maze, take a left. Walk through the yard, past a light post and under a tree to the steps of the courthouse where you will ascend several stairs to the front door.
You have arrived at the Carteret County Courthouse, circa 1796.
Entrance to the courthouse, a deep brown painted wooden building, with 4 steps to the door.
Side view of the courthouse building with a small lamp post in the front.
The Old Jail, Circa 1829
Our next stop is at the Old Jail. Leaving the courthouse, Descend the steps and turn left under the shade tree towards the Old Jail. As you approach the jail, stop to learn more about its history and the effort taken to move it to today’s location by reading the sign out front. Just past the sign is the entrance to the jail followed by a wooden stockade.
Side view of the jail house with a sign in front of it.
Front view of jail house with the stockade in front of it.
The Smokehouse, Old Schoolhouse and Herb Garden.
Now let’s explore the Smokehouse, Old Schoolhouse and Herb Garden; a couple of treasures along the way to the Apothecary and Doctor’s Office. Continue past the Old Jail just a few more steps where you can have a gander at these intriguing stops.
From here you can have a gander at a few points that are not an official part of the tour, but worthy of a visit. Scanning from left to right are the Smokehouse, then what is believed to be the Old Schoolhouse, followed by the Apothecary Herb Garden.
The smokehouse is a small white structure with a brown tiled pitched roof
Herb garden
Inside the schoolhouse is a table, chair, and small bed
The Apothecary Shop and Doctor’s office, circa 1859.
After you have explored the Apothecary Herb Garden, turn 180 degrees walking alongside the Apothecary. Turn left at the front of the building where you will reach the front door.
You have reached the Apothecary Shop and Doctor’s office. Step up into this great piece of history to glance at what medicine and healthcare looked like in the Colonial period.
Front of the apothecary comprised of a green door and a tall window to the right of it.
Rustell House, circa 1732, now known as the Mary King Davis Art Gallery
Now let’s head to the Rustell House, circa 1732, now known as the Mary King Davis Art Gallery. As you exit the Apothecary and Doctor’s office, turn left and navigate through several shade trees. You will pass a red building currently used for storage and groundskeeping, along with benches for a rest, and come upon a brick paved walkway. Once you reach the walkway, turn left and walk up four steps to the front of the Mary King Davis Art Gallery.
You have arrived at the Mary King Davis Art Gallery. Step inside to discover treasures from local artisans. Listen to the audio file in the Soundscape Community app for more information and ideas.
Steps leading up to the porch area of the gallery with plaques and signs on the wall
Front view of the gallery with a small sign in front.
The BHA Information and Gift Shop.
Now let’s head to the BHA Information and Gift Shop. Descend the steps of the Mary King Davis Art Gallery and continue along the winding brick path until you hear sounds of a gentle water feature. Turn left where you will find the entrance to the Beaufort Historical Association building. Stop in for visitor information, learn about other tours, and explore the museum and gift shop.
You have arrived back at the Beaufort Historical Association Site information and gift shop.
Blue door with windows either side
Side view of the information and gift shop with a large green grassy area in front.