Then, Now and Down the Rabbit Hole

The New Bern Historical Society has over 10,000 images from New Bern/s History. Curator Jim Hodges has selected just a hundred or so of his very favorites and will share them along with their stories with “Then, Now and Down the Rabbit Hole”. Join him on Sunday, January 25th at 2pm at Orringer Auditorium at Craven Community College. Keep a sharp eye out! You may spot something in the background of one image that will lead you to a rabbit hole filled with other fascinating stories.

You won’t want to miss this special presentation. Jim is one of New Bern’s favorites and will draw a large crowd. Tickets will be available starting Dec. 15, 2025 from www.NewBernHistorical.org or by calling 252-638-8558 or in person at the New Bern Historical Society at 511 Broad St. Reservations are highly recommended as we expect this event will sell out; $12 for Historical Society members, active duty military, and students; $15 for non-members. For groups of 13 or more, please call the office at 252-638-8558 to book with the group rate. If you are looking for a special Christmas gift, these tickets may just be the answer!

Historical Society Executive Director Anthony Giardino is looking forward to this special presentation and urges all to get their tickets soon. “Jim Hodges is a local treasure. I encourage everyone in our area to come and hear one of the greatest local storytellers bring many of our favorite images to life!”

All the images in this presentation have their own fascinating story from New Bern’s History. Hodges has spent 13 years as Curator, collecting and organizing documents, photographs and artifacts. Some come from collections of noted New Bern photographers like the Benners Kellum Collection, some from folks who share what they found in family collections. Hodges points out that “although expanding the Historical Society’s collection is important, it is additionally critical that these acquired artifacts are specific to New Bern and Craven County.”
 

An exciting result of all the organizational work is the new Digital Archive. Hodges has worked with a group of talented and dedicated volunteers to make these images accessible to the public. More than 2500 images are now available online at www.NewBernHistorical.org on the Digital Archive. This project continues to evolve as new images are being added constantly.

Jim Hodges was reared in New Bern, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a post graduate dental degree. After satisfying a military commitment and enjoying several years of international travel, Jim returned to New Bern and practiced dentistry until his retirement in 2012. His current life chapter involves his passion for New Bern and its rich history as a member of the Historical Society. As the volunteer Curator of the New Bern Historical Society he spends his days maintaining, conserving and finding ways to share the collection.

The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education. Offices are located in the historic Attmore- Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern. For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go www.NewBernHistorical.org or www.facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.