Hertford County: River, History and Culture

Murfree’s Landing is being transformed into a town park with a launch site for kayaks and canoes. Parker’s Ferry is a cable ferry on the Meherrin River that connects Maney’s Neck with the southern part of Hertford County. These offer two distinct connections to the water: a project for paddlecraft and an actual river crossing. If you include the ferry in your travel plans, check the schedule in advance.

Buildings and History

The William Rea Store was built in 1790 and is the oldest surviving commercial brick building in North Carolina. The Wheeler House has a different historical focus: it was established in 1810 as a store for William Hardy and George Gordon. The Winton Historic District is locally significant in the area of commerce. Its significance under Criterion A also includes Native American ethnic heritage, African American ethnic heritage, and education.

The C.S. Brown School opened in 1886 as Chowan Academy and was the only high school for students of color in Hertford County until 1937. Its auditorium is a Colonial Revival-style building completed in 1926. The Mill Neck School, in turn, is an intact example of the Rosenwald Fund’s Community School Plan 20-A for a two-classroom school.

Homes, Museum, and Stage

Murfreesboro offers a self-guided tour of historic homes. The tour guide covers 28 historic properties. The Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana offers a different perspective on history: its collection comprises more than 13,000 objects and occupies an area of more than 17,000 square feet in the Old Murfreesboro High School.

The Gallery Theatre offers live entertainment featuring local and visiting artists, and also maintains an art gallery. It brings together two distinct cultural offerings: stage performances and visual art. Golf enthusiasts will find a dedicated focus at the Beechwood Country Club: golf is at the center of its 75-year history. The club runs along the banks of Potecasi Creek.

Festival and Local Offerings

The Hertford County Watermelon Festival takes place in Murfreesboro every year during the last four days of the first week of August. The exact calendar dates can vary, so it is worth checking the dates for your chosen year in advance. The festival includes a market with food and arts and crafts vendors; individual vendors may vary from one edition to another. For travel planning, the festival is a recurring event with a clearly specified timeframe and a market as part of its program.

The Ahoskie Creek Recreation Complex is available for events and programs hosted by the Town of Ahoskie, local government agencies, community groups, and local businesses. Community groups include those that promote the civic, cultural, educational, and informational needs of the community.

Discover more destinations: Ahoskie, Beaufort County, Wilkes, Dare, Northampton County, Burke County, Henderson, Forsyth.

For the overview of the wider region: North Carolina.