Visit Us at the Barker House

Edenton's Annual Candlelight Christmas Tour is coming up. For details click here.

Barker House, parking lot perspective

Make the Barker House your living room in Edenton. The House is famous for many reasons and has an unique Book and Gift Shop specializing on regional history, Edenton's architecture and important leaders of the colony, state and nation. The House also serves as the home of the Edenton Historical Commission. Open seven days a week, admission is Free!







The Barker House is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Daily including Sundays. Think of the House as Edenton's Living Room and make yourself comfortable.

We'll be delighted to show you around, tell you more about Penelope Barker and encourage you to browse our unique Gift and Book Shop.Our Gift Shop is different. It contains a large collection of books about our region that are available at reasonable prices. Friends of the Commission are entitled to a 10% discount on all gifts and books. We don't have magazines or books you can find in most bookstores. We have books about life in northeastern North Carolina and life around the Albemarle Sound. Some feature story telling while others are rare histories about the leaders of Edenton and the region. All of them make great reading and unusual gifts.

Some of our most frequently purchased books include:
- Take Tea at the Barker House
- Being Dead is No Excuse
- Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
- Children's books (including Pirates)
- Cradle of the Colony

Some gifts in high demand include:
- Peanut Tins of locally produced fresh peanuts
- Cast replica of the Roanoke River Lighthouse
- Tea Bag Holders, Caddies and Edenton Tea
- Pewter "Cradle of the Colony" plate
- Items related to Black Beard and Pirates

All of these and much more can be purchases over the Internet by visiting our on-line Gift Shop.

If you need a little more information about visiting Edenton, check these sources:
Cupola House
Historic Edenton State Historic Site and Iredell House at Edenton
Town of Edenton
Chowan County
Visit Edenton
Destination Downtown
Harriet Jacobs 
Chowan Arts Council 
Chowan County Tourism Development Authority 
Preservation North Carolina
Paths of Chowan

Rent the Barker House for your next Event!

Trying to find a great location for your next special event, social function, or wedding? Consider renting the Barker House. 


We rent the large parlor, dining room, and gallery porch at very reasonable prices. We can help by supplying names of local wedding and event planners.

For more information, send us an email or give us a call at (252) 482-7800.