The 6 Sisters on Pasteur Street are more than a row of nearly identical homes, they are a rare surviving example of early twentieth-century worker housing that tells the story of New Bern’s recovery after the Great Fire of 1922 and the families who helped rebuild the city.
Located in Duffyfield, one of New Bern’s oldest neighborhoods, these six cottages were built around 1923 by local druggist and investor Dr. William Pinnix as rental homes. Built following the devastating fire that left more than 3,000 people homeless, they provided practical, affordable housing for working families.
Designed for Working Families
While modest in appearance, the 6 Sisters were thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of everyday life. Their architecture reflects the vernacular traditions common throughout the South during the early twentieth century, blending shotgun-house proportions, gable-front cottage styling, and practical side-hall floor plans.
Each home originally featured a side entry hall, living room, dining room, and rear kitchen on the first floor, with three bedrooms upstairs. Bathrooms were often added or modernized as indoor plumbing became more common.
Rather than being built for show, every square foot served a purpose.
Homes that Helped People Thrive
The generous lots behind each house were just as important as the homes themselves. Historic photographs show vegetable gardens, chicken coops, and outdoor work areas where families grew food, raised poultry, preserved produce, repaired equipment, and supplemented household income. These working backyards made the 6 Sisters more than rental houses, they functioned as small, self-reliant homesteads that reflected the ingenuity and resilience of the families who lived there.
Many residents worked in New Bern’s rail yards, lumber industry, shipyards, domestic service, and other essential occupations. Together, they helped shape both the Duffyfield neighborhood and the city’s economic recovery.
A Rare Survivor
Today, the 6 Sisters remain one of the few intact collections of vernacular worker housing from New Bern’s post-fire rebuilding era. Their significance extends beyond architecture; they preserve the story of ordinary families whose daily lives, hard work, and strong community helped define one of New Bern’s oldest historic neighborhood.
The 2024 Purchase
In May 2024, the New Bern Preservation Foundation purchased all six houses. The Foundation recognized an opportunity to preserve an intact group of modest post-fire homes and give them a future as homes once again.
The goal is not to restore the 6 Sisters as museum pieces. Instead, the Foundation is working to place them with new owner-occupants who can repair, improve, and care for them while respecting the history of the houses.
Quick Facts – The 6 Sisters
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Style | Early 20th-century vernacular worker housing |
| Date Built | Circa 1923 |
| Builder/Built By | Dr. William Pinnix |
| Design Influences | Shotgun-derived proportions, gable-front Southern cottages, side-hall plans |
| Original Layout | Side hall, living room, dining room, rear kitchen; three bedrooms upstairs |
| Historic Lot Use | Vegetable gardens, chicken coops, outdoor work spaces |
| Historic Significance | Post-Great Fire workforce housing in Duffyfield |