THE BUNK HOUSE STORY

The Bunk House – formerly coined Carteret County Home – stands as a testament to durability and utility, weathering hurricanes and many years of restoration. The Carteret County Home, officially opened in 1914, initially housed a caretaker and six dormitory-style rooms for residents. By 1917, four more rooms were added, along with an infirmary extension. Constructed with yellow pine weather boarding, the main house follows an I-type structure, featuring a two-story center section based on the hall and parlor plan. 

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As social welfare programs like the Social Security Act took effect in 1937, the home's population dwindled, leading to its closure in 1942. However, it briefly reopened in 1943 to accommodate farm laborers during World War II. After various uses and periods of vacancy, the building was renovated in the early 1980s, with subsequent owners converting the original dormitory rooms into modern suites with private entrances.

 

Despite its eventful history, the many efforts to preserve its historical charm have led to its registration on the National Register of Historic Places – only one of three structures in all of Carteret County. Now, the Carteret County Home has been reimagined to The Bunk House, a 12-unit inn where every room has a different vibe and tells a different story. We hope you'll book a stay and unlock your own story.