Slip into the nineteenth century and experience life as it once was in historic Waynesborough.  Visit a family home, a medical office, a one room school, a law office, and a Quaker Meeting House.  Picnic near our General Store.  Walk down to the Neuse River.  Listen to the blacksmith beating upon his iron.  Breathe deeply and catch the smell of white sage as you glance over the Tuscarora Indian Village.  Enjoy your day in this tranquil setting and learn more about the demise of this faded town.

History

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  Founded in 1787 as the first seat of Wayne County, Waynesborough grew quickly into a bustling town.  Its location along the Neuse River promoted plantation growth and successful river boat businesses.  Stage coaches brought much activity and many passengers to the town, many of whom enjoyed the local taverns.
  Built just over a mile away in 1839, the Wilmington-Weldon Railroad led to the emergence of Goldsboro, a town built directly along the tracks.  Residents of Waynesborough began to move their homes and businesses into the new town.  Within a decade, Waynesborough declined and never again recovered.  By 1865 only five buildings remained in Waynesborough, all of which were burned by Union Forces in the Civil War.

Hours

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   Waynesborough and the Wayne County - Goldsdboro Visitors' Center is open seven days a week with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. 

Summer hours are from Memorial Day (May 1st) 11 AM to 5 PM, Sundays 1 PM to 5 PM.

Winter hours are from Labor Day (Sept 1) 10 AM to 4 PM, Sundays 1 PM to 4 PM.

All tours are self-guided, however group tours can be arranged.  There is no admission fee.

Things to come in Wayneborough

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  The Old Waynesborough Commission, affliate of the Wayne County Historical Association, maintains all restoration and preservation efforts in the village.  Waynesborough's focus begins in 1701 with the first Tuscarora visit and ends in 1900 with a complete economic and social shift to Goldsboro.
   Things are moving forward on moving portions of the Griswald-Hatch house to make the Hatch museum at the park that will feature local history, children' s exhibits, games and a American Native Indian room. We had originally hoped to move the entire house and kitchen but were unable to do so because of termite and other damage from water (over the years).

Learn more about Wayne County and
North Carolina

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Wayne County and North Carolina:
Wayne County Historical Association and Museum
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
North Carolina Archeology
Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies

Other Great Websites:
Tuscaroras.com
International Dutch Oven Society
Coastal Plain Waters 2001
North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Contact Information

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For more information, email the Old Waynesborough Commission at:
Waynesborough@earthlink.net

If you would like to join the Old Waynesborough Society, contact the Commission at
(919) 731-1653, Fax (919) 705-6550
801 B Hwy U.S. 117 S Bypass
Goldsboro, NC 27530

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