Blackwell House in New Bern, NC - 1774 Vintage Photograph

This vintage photograph features the Blackwell House, located in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. Constructed in 1774, this frame dwelling showcases a distinct architectural style, featuring a two-story center portion flanked by one-story wings. The house exemplifies early American residential architecture and is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which documents significant structures in the region.

The image is attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, a noted photographer recognized for her work capturing the built environment of the American South. The photograph serves as a valuable historical record, highlighting the aesthetics and construction methods of the time. The Blackwell House is also significant for its picturesque porch and the natural vines that accentuate its façade, contributing to the charm of early Southern homes.

Published in Thomas Tileston Waterman’s The Early Architecture of North Carolina, the photograph is a vital part of the historical narrative of New Bern. KNOWOLs historic images connect the rich stories and imagery of our past. A statement in any room, each is printed on museum-quality paper using a restored version of the original.