Whether you own a historic home, are planning a rehabilitation project, researching a historic property, or simply want to learn more about preserving New Bern’s architectural heritage, these resources can help.
Local Preservation Resources
City of New Bern Historic Preservation Commission
The New Bern Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviews proposed exterior changes to properties within New Bern’s locally designated historic districts and historic landmarks. The Commission’s guidelines help property owners understand what types of work require review and the standards used to evaluate proposed changes.
Historic Preservation Commission
New Bern Historic Districts Map
Download a map showing the jurisdiction of the New Bern Historic Preservation Commission and the city’s historic districts, along with the applicable Historic District Guidelines.
Download the New Bern Historic Districts Map and Guidelines (PDF)
North Carolina Preservation Resources
NC State Historic Preservation Office
The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NCHPO) is the state’s primary resource for historic preservation. Its website includes information about historic rehabilitation, tax credits, National Register properties, architectural surveys, preservation commissions, grants, disaster preparedness, and technical assistance for historic building owners.
Visit the NC State Historic Preservation Office
HPOWEB Historic Resources Map
Want to know more about a historic property? HPOWEB is North Carolina’s online historic resources mapping system. It allows you to search for historic buildings, districts, surveys, and other recorded historic resources throughout the state.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official federal list of properties and districts recognized for their historical or architectural significance. National Register listing is different from local historic-district designation and does not, by itself, impose local restrictions on a property.
National Register status can be particularly important to property owners because it may make a building eligible for state and federal rehabilitation tax credits.
Learn about the National Register of Historic Places
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
Tax credits can be an important tool for preserving historic buildings while making rehabilitation projects more financially feasible. Eligibility and requirements vary depending on how a property is used and its historic designation.
Owner-Occupied Residential Properties
North Carolina’s historic rehabilitation tax credit program may provide a 15% state income tax credit for qualified rehabilitation of eligible owner-occupied residential properties. The property and rehabilitation work must meet specific program requirements, including National Register eligibility and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
NC Rehabilitation Tax Credits for Owner-Occupied Residential Properties
Income-Producing Properties
Historic commercial buildings, rental properties, and other qualifying income-producing historic properties may be eligible for federal and state rehabilitation tax credits. Current programs can provide a 20% federal income tax credit and a 15–25% North Carolina state income tax credit for certified rehabilitation projects that meet program requirements.
NC Rehabilitation Tax Credits for Income-Producing Properties
You can also download the guide:
Download NC Historic Preservation Tax Incentives for Income-Producing Properties (PDF)
Important: Tax-credit programs have detailed eligibility and application requirements. Property owners should consult the State Historic Preservation Office before beginning rehabilitation work and should consult their tax professional regarding the tax consequences of any credit.
Preservation Easements
A preservation easement is a legal tool that can help protect the historic character of a property for the future. Depending on the type of easement, restrictions can address the preservation of significant architectural features, the building’s exterior, or other historic characteristics.
Preservation Easements Through New Bern Preservation Foundation
The New Bern Preservation Foundation accepts preservation easements and façade easements on historic properties. We work with property owners to prepare and record the easement documents at no cost to the property owner.
A preservation easement can help ensure that important historic features survive for future generations, even when ownership of the property changes.
Learn About Preservation Easements
Learn About Our Preservation Work
Preservation Grants
Grants for historic preservation do exist, but they are often misunderstood. There are currently no federal or state grants available for the rehabilitation of privately owned historic properties in North Carolina. Privately owned historic properties may instead qualify for federal and state rehabilitation tax credits.
The NC State Historic Preservation Office administers Historic Preservation Fund grants for eligible Certified Local Governments and certain nonprofit and educational organizations working through a Certified Local Government. Eligible projects can include architectural surveys, National Register nominations, preservation plans, educational programs, and certain restoration projects. Privately owned buildings are not eligible for restoration funding through this program.
Learn About NC Historic Preservation Grants
Historic Building Research
Researching an older New Bern property can reveal much more than its construction date. Historic surveys, National Register nominations, maps, photographs, deeds, city records, and other sources can help uncover the history of a building and the people who lived or worked there.
Start your research with:
- HPOWEB Historic Resources Map
- National Register of Historic Places
- NC State Historic Preservation Office
Historic Properties and Natural Disasters
Historic buildings can face particular challenges following hurricanes, flooding, wind damage, and other disasters. The NC State Historic Preservation Office provides resources for owners of historic properties dealing with disaster preparation, damage assessment, emergency stabilization, and recovery.
NC HPO Disaster Preparedness and Response Resources
If your historic property has been damaged, it is important to document the damage and carefully consider repair and stabilization work before removing historic materials or making permanent alterations. Historic properties may also have special tax-credit considerations following disaster-related damage.
Need Help Preserving a Historic Property?
The New Bern Preservation Foundation is committed to helping property owners understand the options available to protect New Bern’s historic buildings and homes.
Whether you’re considering a preservation easement, façade easement, rehabilitation, restoration, or simply want to learn more about your historic property, we encourage you to contact us.
Preserving New Bern’s historic buildings takes all of us.