Allred Family Organization
AFO Mission Statement
Identify and Unite the Allred Family Through
Gathering, Storing and Sharing Information

Family Histories and Stories
Being Updated

back to East Coast Allred Family Association page

East Coast Allred Family Association

Trip to Tryon Palace

Saturday, December 13, 2003

Our trip to Tryon Palace was lots of fun! Nine ECAFA members attended:

Dot Allen
Lawrence Allen
Jesse Allred
Sara Allred
Becky Sexton
Harlan Sexton
W. Darrell Allred
Marion Allred
Linda Allred Cooper

During the bus ride down, ECAFA President Linda Cooper gave a short educational presentation on the history of the War of the Regulation and the building of Tryon Palace. ECAFA members and some of the other bus passengers asked questions and joined in the discussion which "set the atmosphere" for our visit back in history.

Following the presentation, the Holiday Tours bus hostess presented ECAFA member Darrell Allred with a pen for being the oldest person on the bus. Darrell is 83 years young!

Our bus arrived in New Bern, NC at 12:30 which gave us the whole afternoon to explore the Palace, it's grounds, and the Historic District. Everything was decorated for Christmas. Guides and Actors were dressed in full costume, each playing the part of a character from the 18th or 19th Century.

Tryon Palace was decorated and the actors/guides in character as if the date were December 13, 1771. On that date, the real Governor Tryon hosted a Grand Ball at the Palace in celebration of King George III of England's birthday. As we toured the Palace, we were greeted and entertained by actors portraying Governor Tryon, Mrs. Tryon, the Palace Steward, the Head Housekeeper Miss Hat, the Cook, a chamber maid and Governor Tryon's Secretary. Each remained in character, talking to us as if we were invited guests who had just arrived for the Ball. Each room was decorated for Christmas in the 18th Century style.

In the Ball Room we enjoyed listening to the Royal Quartet practice the music they would be playing at the Ball. Governor Tryon confessed to "hiding in his chambers" to avoid his wife who was "almost to have the vapors" over worrying about last minute details as her guests were arriving. The Cook tried to talk us into staying to help her as she prepared the feast. The Housekeeper gave us her secret recipe for making the colorful gelatins which would be served during the evenings activities. The Secretary took us into his confidence as he confessed to agreeing with the Regulators' argument that they were being unfairly taxed.

Once outside on the Palace Grounds, we stepped into another time period and found soldiers from the 10th Calvary, Confederate States of America, encamped and protecting the Palace from the expected invasion of Federal Troops from the North. The date was December 13, 1861. The Civil War had just begun and it looked like the South would win and easy victory. The soldiers invited us to tour their camp, explore their tents, ask questions about their lives, equipment, and opinions about the War and 19th century politics. Southern Belles passed through the camp, flirting with the handsome soldiers in uniform. At precisely 1pm, the cannon was fired - almost scaring us to death with it's loud roar and explosion of smoke.

After lunch and a quick visit to some of the antique stores in the Historic District, we returned to visit the Stanley House and Dixon House, both decorated for Christmas parties which were taking place that night. The date was December 13, 1830. The actor/guides welcomed us to the parties and showed us the decorations and food set out solely for our entertainment.

As we climbed, exhausted, onboard the bus for the return ride home, candles were being lit throughout the Historic District just as they had been lit so long ago. On the ride home, everyone commented on the day's events and how much they had learned about 18th and 19th Century life. It was a very fun way to travel back in time and learn exactly how the people of New Bern, NC had lived and thought.

Visit Us On FaceBook!

Family History Book For Sale

President Barack Obama's Allred Family Info

Latest Research News

DNA Project

North Carolina Allreds in the 1750's

Allred Time Line
1572-1762

North Carolina History Timeline

Our British Roots

Allreds in the American Revolution

Collateral Families

Tombstone Project

Ancestor Photos