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About
Historic
Plymouth Heritage
The Washington County Visitor’s Center, located
on Highway 64 in Plymouth, is a great place to begin your
exploration of this historic town located on the banks of the
Roanoke River Delta. If you arrive after hours, be sure to
check the brochure rack outside.
Historic Plymouth, founded in 1787, rapidly
became an important port shipping not only agricultural products
such as corn, tobacco and cotton, but also ship’s masts and
spars, lumber, shingles, tar, pitch and turpentine. The Battle
of Plymouth during the Civil War was the most significant page
of Plymouth’s rich history. The most successful ironclad of the
Civil War made her debut in that 3-day battle and was later
destroyed in Plymouth in a commando raid that the History
Channel, titled in their documentary, “The Most Daring Mission
of the Civil War”. There are 5 North Carolina Civil War Trail
sites in Plymouth not to be missed!
Today, you can not only stroll the
half-mile of waterfront located 6 blocks north of the Visitor’s
Center, but you also have the rare opportunity to visit three
different museums in three blocks along the river. Explore the
downtown as well as the Nationally Registered Historic District
with notable homes and churches.
Roanoke River Maritime Museum and Lighthouse
Explore a replica of the screw pile lighthouse
that once stood in the Albemarle Sound at the mouth of the
Roanoke river 5 miles east of Plymouth. Across the street you
can see a collection of regional boats including the North
Carolina State Boat, The Albemarle Sound Shad Boat. Don’t miss
seeing a full-scale replica of the steam launch mounted with a
torpedo that was used to sink the most successful ironclad of
the Civil War on Oct 27, 1864. Admission is $3 for Adults.
Senior and Children discounts apply.
God’s Creation Wildlife Museum
This unique museum has an impressive
collection of mounted animals from Alaska to Africa and points
in between. Enjoy an interactive Touch Table and an informative
tour. You can also see The Big Five most dangerous animals in
Africa. Admission is $2 for Adults. Senior and Children
discounts apply.
The Port of Plymouth Museum
Housed in a circa 1920’s train station this
museum interprets Native American and Colonial History, but
features a vast collection of Civil War artifacts from the
Battle of Plymouth. Behind the museum is a 63’ replica of the
CSS Albemarle – the most successful ironclad of the Civil
War! On the last weekend in April, come enjoy the annual Battle
of Plymouth Living History Weekend that has been taking place
here for over 20 years. Museum admission is $3 for Adults.
Senior and Children discounts apply.
Rail Switch Nature Trail
Located at the end of East Water Street this
birding trail offers just over .3 miles of riverside trail with
three large, shaded observation decks. This peaceful trail
provides excellent views of wooded and marshland habitats on the
edge of downtown Plymouth.
Ausbon House, circa 1830
Listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, the Ausbon House, located at the corner of Washington
Street and 3rd Street, is one of only 5 houses within
the city limits of Plymouth that pre-date the Civil War. Of
greatest interest to most visitors is the cluster of Civil War
bullet holes around an upstairs window! A tenacious Confederate
sniper from the 17th NC Calvary fought to the death
here during Colonel John C. Lamb’s raid on Plymouth in December
of 1862. The home is privately owned.
Armistead House, circa 1815
Originally built by Dr. Julian Picot, this
house located at the corner of Main St. and Monroe St. once had
a commanding view of the Roanoke River. It is best remembered
as having played a role in the Underground Railroad. A trap
door in the floor under a rug opened to a tunnel leading to the
waterfront docks where a New England ship owner, who also owned
the house at the time, would take on runaway slaves to escape
north.
Grace Episcopal Church, circa
1861
Designed by nationally prominent architect,
Richard Upjohn, Grace survived the onslaught of the Civil War.
The pews were taken apart to build coffins for soldiers killed
in the Battle of Plymouth. It has an exemplarily collection of
funerary art in its cemetery. It was also featured in Ripley’s
Believe It Or Not as a result of a lightning storm. There were
twelve red cedar trees named for each of the twelve disciples
and the one named for Judas was struck by lightning!
About the Facilities
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Visitor Center
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Museum Gift Shops
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Free parking
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Audio/visual presentation
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Public restrooms
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Motorcoach parking
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Museum/exhibits
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Historic structures
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Handicap Accessibility:
Visitor Center and Museums are fully accessible; site is
partially accessible.
Nearest
Major Town/City
Plymouth (55 miles from Greenville, NC. 66 miles from Rocky
Mount, NC, 95 miles from Norfolk, VA)
For Visitor Information
Washington
County Chamber of Commerce/Visitor’s Center
701 Washington St.
Plymouth, NC 27962
www.gowildnc.com
www.visitplymouth.com
www.chamberofwashingtoncounty.com
Major Program Areas:
Native American, African American, Civil War, Maritime
Education
Resources
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Guided Tours
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On-site interpretive activities
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Staff interpreters
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Self-guided exhibits
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Hands-on activities
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Off-site/outreach activities
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School Tour
Requirements
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Maximum
group size: 90 (divided into three groups of 30 that rotate
through the three museums)
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Reservations required
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$3/student
package rate for all three museums
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Typically
1 hour tour per museum
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Curriculum-based tours if requested, Pre-K through 12
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Website:
