John Wright Stanly House

The John Wright Stanly House is a Georgian-style residence in New Bern featuring a formal, symmetrical design with two stories and five window bays. The structure includes a center hallway, period furnishings spanning from 1770 to 1825, and a hipped roof topped with a balustrade.

Built in 1779 by architect John Hawks, the residence became a military command center during the American Civil War when General Ambrose E. Burnside used it as his headquarters. The construction date places it in an era when British architectural traditions were shaping the designs of important colonial buildings.

The house reflects how prominent families of colonial times organized their homes to display status and entertain guests. The formal arrangement of rooms and the careful attention to symmetry show what mattered to people with wealth and influence back then.

Located on George Street in downtown New Bern, the property is part of the Tryon Palace complex with convenient pedestrian access to the surrounding area. The interior with its period furnishings is accessible when the property is open for tours, so it's worth checking ahead before visiting.

President George Washington stayed here during his 1791 visit to New Bern and reported being satisfied with the accommodations. This personal account from one of America's founding figures adds an unexpected layer of significance to a house most people know only as an architectural landmark.