Barker House (Edenton, North Carolina)

The Barker House, located in Edenton, North Carolina, is a historic house museum that served as the home of Penelope Barker, a prominent figure in Edenton’s history and a leader of the Edenton Tea Party in 1774. The house, situated on Edenton Bay, offers visitors a glimpse into 18th-century life and the role of women in colonial America and the American Revolution.

The house itself dates back to different periods, with sections constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its architecture reflects evolving tastes and building styles. The Barker House grounds include gardens and outbuildings, providing further insight into the domestic life of the time.

Today, the Barker House is owned and operated by the Edenton Historical Commission. It is open to the public for tours, allowing visitors to explore the restored rooms and learn about the Barker family, the Edenton Tea Party, and the broader context of colonial North Carolina. Exhibits and interpretive materials highlight Penelope Barker’s role in organizing the protest against British taxation, as well as the lives of other residents who lived and worked at the house. The Barker House serves as a significant historical site in Edenton, preserving and interpreting the town’s rich past.