Sam Jones, the quirky but beloved man who built Berkley Manor in the early 1950s, used to advise his guests that the mansion was, “A place of contentment and rest where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great.” This handsome structure has been a central location of the island’s events and celebrations over the past half-century, but it was threatened by so-called modern development until a group of like-minded partners saved it in 2012. Now, the main manor house is again thriving, welcoming guests for overnight stays, providing space for island happenings, complete with a full catering kitchen, and holding its well-deserved space as a structure of historic and cultural importance. The new owners will be rebuilding the 3,000-square-foot Berkley Barn and the Berkley Suites, including six additional bedrooms, over the fall and winter of 2016, restoring the magnificence and welcoming space of the original site. With these additions, the Manor will again become the preferred site for beautiful island weddings. Since the Barn will hold 275 people, the estate will be Ocracoke’s only full-service wedding and event venue.
(252) 926-9453
58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
theberkleymanor.com
About the Author Beth P. Storie
Beth Storie first came to the Outer Banks for the summer of 1976. She fell in love with the area and returned for good three years later. She and her husband published the national guidebook series, The Insiders' Guides, for more than 20 years and now are building OneBoat guides into another national brand. After spending time in many dozens of cities around the country, she absolutely believes that her hometown of Manteo is the best place on earth, especially when her two children, six cats and one dog are there too.
