Tarboro Historic District

Tarboro is a delight for historic preservationists and history buffs who appreciate the magical ambiance that seems to inhabit the Tarboro Historic District historic. Created by the National Parks service in 1977, the 45-block Historic District boasts over 300 structures from the residential dwellings to historic churches to original 19th century storefronts along Tarboro’s Main Street. The gateway to the Tarboro Historic District is the town’s beautiful Town Common, a 15-acre park canopied by tall oaks and accented war memorials. The Town Common originally surrounded the town and is the second oldest legislated town common in the country. Initially the location for common grazing of livestock, community gatherings and military drills, the Town Common is the only remaining original common on the east coast outside of Boston.

Within that Historic District is the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style mansion that houses several important document collections and works by nationally recognized artist and Tarboro native Hobson Pittman. Opened as a museum in 1982, the Blount-Bridgers House also serves as the town’s art and civic center. A Historic District National Recreation Trail beginning at the Blount-Bridgers Houseguides visitors through the scenic older neighborhoods of the town. The district includes five 18th century homes with the oldest being the Archibald White house (ca. 1785) located on the corner of Church and Trade St. Over two dozen antebellum homes from 1800-1860 grace the district. The largest section is late 19th and early 20th century and includes Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and arts and crafts style homes. The town's charming and walkable downtown is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Main Street Program.” Guided walking tours by our local town historian and author are held on Saturdays throughout late spring through Early Fall.