The new CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretative Center
More than a year ago, the Civil War ironclad CSS Neuse moved to downtown Kinston with great fanfare, and earlier this month Sec. Susan Kluttz joined local leaders to unveil its new home at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center on Queen Street. This museum is a work-in-progress and gives visitors a rare opportunity to see a museum project under construction. The museum’s downtown location is part of a cultural renaissance Kinston is experiencing with new restaurants, award-winning craft beer and a burgeoning arts scene. Kinston’s small town charm and friendly business environment adds to the spark that culture is bringing to set Kinston’s economy on fire. The day began with the re-dedication of a highway marker honoring the Neuse in front of the Lenoir County Courthouse. Secretary Kluttz, Deputy Secretary Kevin Cherry and Highway Marker Program director Michael Hill made remarks. Bill Rowland, who witnessed the recovery of the sunken vessel from the Neuse River in the 1960s, and John Marston, CSS Neuse Gunboat Association president assisted in the marker unveiling. Site Manager Sarah Risty-Davis was the master of ceremonies.
Sec. Kluttz with Stephen Hill in the Neuse Interpretative Center
Secretary Kluttz and the large, local crowd were given tours by interpreters in Civil War attire. These tours are now available to give visitors the chance to both see the magnificent ship and gain an understanding of the hard work it takes to build a museum. The museum will host its grand opening next year. The Neuse was a one-of-a-kind ironclad that was constructed by the Confederacy to help counter the superior numbers of the Union Navy. With all its advances in technology, the Neuse saw little action, though it did participate in at least one skirmish in 1865. While in Kinston, Sec. Kluttz also toured a number of downtown attractions with Stephen Hill, a Kinston native, who owns the award-winning Mother Earth Brewery with his son-in-law. The Secretary enjoyed a tour of the brewery and taproom, noting the environmentally-friendly solar panels and art throughout.