Nestled on the southeast side of historic New Bern, the Taberna neighborhood stands as a shining example of how thoughtful development and deep-rooted community spirit can create a place where history, natural beauty, and modern living harmoniously intersect. While Taberna may not stretch back centuries like some of New Bern’s downtown streets, its story brims with purpose, pride, and a vibrant sense of place.
The Origins of Taberna
Taberna’s story begins in the mid-1990s, when New Bern’s growth spurred the vision for a neighborhood that would offer peaceful, picturesque living with a nod to the area’s European roots. The land Taberna sits on today was once pine forest and farmland, with whispers of history lingering along Brices Creek Road and US-70, the main routes framing the community.
How Taberna Got Its Name
The name “Taberna”—pronounced tuh-BUR-nuh—derives from the Latin word for “tavern” or “inn,” a gathering place for travelers. The developers looked to New Bern’s own heritage for inspiration. As one of North Carolina’s oldest cities, New Bern was originally settled by Swiss and German immigrants in the early 1700s. The neighborhood’s name pays homage to New Bern’s European founders and their love of inns, communal gathering, and hospitality. The stylized double doors in Taberna’s logo reflect this spirit—a literal and figurative “welcome” at the gateway between past and present.
Key Historical Milestones
- Development (Mid-1990s): Taberna's master plan was carefully designed with a focus on green spaces, community amenities, and European-inspired architecture. Groundbreaking began in 1997, introducing winding streets, stately homes, and lakes where wildlife could thrive.
- Taberna Country Club Opens (1998): In the heart of the neighborhood, the Taberna Country Club quickly became a social and recreational hub—its championship golf course drawing residents and visitors alike.
- Taberna Nature Park Established (2003): An 18-acre preserve set aside for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying North Carolina’s abundant flora and fauna. Located just off Emmen Road and close to the community’s main entrance on Taberna Way, this park remains a beloved green retreat.
- Growth and Modern Community: Over the next two decades, Taberna flourished, with families, retirees, and professionals making their homes along streets named for Swiss and German locales—such as Geneva Road, Emmen Road, and Appenzell Drive.
Notable Landmarks and Buildings
The Taberna Country Club
The neighborhood’s heart beats strongest at the Taberna Country Club. With its brick-and-stucco clubhouse, grand windows overlooking the back nine, and a cozy fireside dining room, the club feels as much like a traditional inn as a golf venue. The 18-hole, par-72 course winds around the community’s lakes and woods, providing scenic vistas at every turn. The club hosts social events, weddings, and even the neighborhood’s annual holiday celebrations.
Taberna Great Lawn & Gazebo
Central to the community is the Great Lawn, a manicured park space shaded by oaks and pines—and crowned with a picturesque white gazebo. It’s a favorite spot for outdoor yoga, summer picnics, and neighborhood gatherings throughout the year.
Taberna Landing Park
Adjacent to the entrance of Taberna, this small but lovely park is home to perennial flower beds and benches overlooking a tranquil pond. Paths connect residents to Woodrow Drive and the nearby creek, bringing a taste of North Carolina’s wild beauty into everyday life.
Notable Streets and Neighborhood Layout
- Taberna Way: The community’s welcoming boulevard, lined with stately homes and lush landscaping, where neighbors often walk or cycle beneath the dappled shade.
- Bruges Avenue, Visp Court, and Bern Haus: Streets named after European cities and themes—each with distinctive signage and architectural touches.
- Hollered Court: One of Taberna’s charming cul-de-sacs, where block parties and trick-or-treating fill the streets every year.
Evolution and Community Spirit
Over the decades, Taberna has evolved from an ambitious development to a vibrant, tight-knit community. The Taberna Homeowners Association (HOA) plays an active role, organizing events from Thanksgiving food drives to summer block parties. The neighborhood’s newsletter, “Taberna Tribune,” shares stories both old and new, nurturing a sense of neighborly connection.
Taberna draws a diverse mix of residents—families with children attending nearby Creekside Elementary, empty nesters drawn to secure, scenic living, and professionals working in New Bern or nearby marine and healthcare industries. Walking and biking trails connect residents to parks, cul-de-sacs, and one another, while the historic downtown of New Bern is only minutes away for dining, arts, and shopping.
Preserving Heritage While Embracing the Future
Though Taberna is a relatively young community compared to New Bern’s colonial core, its residents’ reverence for history and tradition runs deep. The European-inspired architecture, the names chosen for streets and parks, and the commitment to green spaces all reflect an intention to build with heritage in mind.
Many residents take pride in planting native flowers, birdwatching, or joining pond clean-up days—safeguarding Taberna’s natural heritage for the next generation. The neighborhood’s walking trails, which wind along Brices Creek and through shaded woodlands, preserve remnants of the original forest, ensuring the spirit of the land lives on.
A Neighborhood that Feels Like Home
Above all, what makes Taberna special is its sense of welcome—the very meaning of its name. Whether greeting new neighbors, lending a hand to a friend, or gathering for celebrations beneath the gazebo’s lights, Taberna’s residents embody that old-world hospitality in a thoroughly modern setting.
So whether you’re strolling along Taberna Way in spring as the dogwoods bloom, teeing off at sunrise at the country club, or simply sharing coffee with a neighbor on a quiet back porch, you’re part of a living legacy—a community built on history, and a promise for the future.