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Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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Source:  The De Graffenried Memorial, New Bern. Photo courtesy of Waymarking.com

  • Monument Name

    The Christoph von Graffenreid Memorial, New Bern

  • Type

    Bust

  • Subjects

    Historic Political Figures

  • Creator

    William Emsley Hipp, III, Sculptor

  • City

    New Bern

  • County

    Craven

  • Description

    Bust of Baron Christoph von Graffenreid (Christopher De Graffenried) stands on a rectangular pedestal and low, square base. The figure has long, full hair and a cravat at his neck. Two coats of arms appear at the top of the plaque on the base.

  • Inscription

    Plaque on base: BARON / CHRISTOPHER / DE GRAFFENRIED / FOUNDER OF NEW BERN / NORTH CAROLINA / SEPTEMBER 11, 1710 / LANDGRAVE OF CAROLINA / BARON OF BERNBURG / LORD OF WORB, WIKARTSWIL / AND TRIMSTEIN / GOVERNOR OF YVERTON / KNIGHT OF THE PURPLE RIBBON / MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF SUNSHINE / MASTER OF ARTS / DOCTOR OF LAW / HONORARY CITIZEN OF LONDON / BORN 1661 IN BERN, SWITZERLAND / DIED 1743 IN WORB, SWITZERLAND / HE ESTABLISHED HERE / THE FIRST ORGANIZED / AND SUBSTANTIAL COLONY / IN NORTH CAROLINA

    Plaque on the reverse side of the base lists contributors, dates and a remembrance of Mayor Mathias E. Manly, Jr.

  • Dedication Date

    April 9, 1989

  • Decade

    1980s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.106820 , -77.038650 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "The De Graffenried Memorial - New Bern, NC," Waymarking.com, (accessed June 29, 2014) Link

      "The De Graffenried Memorial," Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museum, SIRIS, sirismm.si.edu, (accessed June 29, 2014) Link

      Dill, A. T., 1986. "Graffenried, Christoph, Baron Von," NCpedia.org (accessed November 1, 2014) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Bronze sculpture, Mexican soft granite base

  • Subject Notes

    Baron Christoph von Graffenreid (1661-1743) was a Swiss aristocrat and founder of the City of New Bern. Read more in Graffenried, Christoph, Baron Von at NCpedia.org.

  • Location

    The memorial is located between City Hall and Christ Episcopal Church at 300 Pollack Street, West side, New Bern, North Carolina 28560.

  • Landscape

    The memorial bust sits between three flag poles, surrounded by manicured bushes off of a city sidewalk. It is located beside a three-story, red brick city hall and a small playground.

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