CSS Nuese Exhibits Partially Closed in Lenoir County

100 North Queen St. office closed temporarily

NC TRAVEL NEWS -- Effective immediately - exhibits from the "CSS Neuse," a Confederate gunboat currently installed in the state historic site's 100 North Queen St. office in Kinston, NC, located in Lenoir County, will be temporarily closed, but are expected to reopen in late November 2009. The reason for this closure is because building code compliance work must be performed on these offices. Once the work is complete, the facility will resume normal operating hours of 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Thursdays or by appointment.

However, visitors are encouraged to visit the CSS Neuse State Historic Site/Governor Richard Caswell Memorial at 2612 W. Vernon Ave. for tours of the ship. These tours give a glimpse into the past of two of our nation's most pivotal wars, which are on display at the CSS Neuse/Governor Caswell Memorial in the city of Kinston. Learn about the celebrated life of Governor Richard Caswell during the Revolutionary War and the early days of our state. Likewise, take advantage of the opportunity to study the remains of the Confederate ironclad gunboat, CSS Neuse.

CSS Neuse/Gov. Caswell Memorial is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, which is part of the NC Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency dedicated to the promotion and preservation of North Carolina's arts, history, and culture through such programs as "Treasure N.C. Culture."

The mission of the CSS Neuse/Governor Caswell Memorial is to preserve and interpret the history of Govnenor Richard Caswell, the state of North Carolina's first governor, and both the ironclad gunboat CSS Neuse and the Civil War in eastern North Carolina.

To visit the CSS Neuse/Richard Caswell Memorial located off U.S. Highway 70. Take U.S. 70, west of downtown Kinston, exit on U.S. 70 Bus. East (W. Vernon Avenue). The site is located approximately one-half mile on the right. For more information on the state historic site, call 252 -522-2091. Operating hours are between Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., note the Memorial is closed Sunday and Monday. Group visitors are encouraged to call ahead to schedule costumed historic weapons talks and hands on activities.