New Bern City Hall, Municipal building in New Bern, US

New Bern City Hall is a 3+1⁄2-story brick and granite building in the Romanesque Revival style, with a 2+1⁄2-story wing. It has hipped roofs with dormers. The federal government built it in 1897 as a post office, courthouse and custom house; it became the municipal building in 1936.

The building was constructed in 1897 by the federal government to serve as a post office, courthouse, and customs facility all in one. The city took control in 1936 and converted it into the seat of local government.

The building displays Romanesque Revival style, a choice that reflected how American towns wanted their civic buildings to look important and lasting in the late 1800s. Walking around it today, you can see how this architecture still communicates authority and civic pride to the community.

The building sits in the heart of New Bern and is easy to reach on foot, especially if you are exploring the town's historic streets. The public square with the Baxter Clock right outside offers a natural gathering spot and helps you get your bearings in the area.

The Baxter Clock is a clock tower standing in the square outside the building, separate from the 1897 structure. It is named in the sources but its date and maker are not recorded there, so visitors should look for it as a freestanding landmark in the plaza rather than part of the facade.