Historic North Carolina plantations are found throughout the Tar Heel State, but none is quite as remarkable as Historic Stagville. A visit here is not only an insightful look into life in the 1800s, but also a staggering step into the life and times of one of the largest working plantations in North Carolina.
Today's Stagville Historic Site is a mere 71 acres of the once-thriving 30,000 acres that made up one of the biggest plantations (in combination with two partner plantations) in the state in the 1800s.
A tour of the site yields a look into the original main home, known as the Bennehan House. It was built in 1787 and includes extra rooms added in 1799. Even a mere glimpse inside the old home brings a sense of the simplest grandeur in which the family lived.
In stark contrast, in adjacent Horton Grove, rests what remains of the slave village. Even though the three plantations that occupied the 30,000 acres here were well ahead of their time in building more humane housing for the slaves working the plantation, the simple structures are humbling, to say the least.
During a visit to Stagville, you can step into the old Bennehan Cemetery. The family plot is surrounded by a sturdy stone wall with an always-open gate.
A great place to begin your tour is at the visitor's center and gift shop. The site is spread out over much land, so stop here for a map and directions to the highlights.
For a somber step back in time and to see a well-preserved piece of North Carolina history, head to Stagville State Historic Site. It’s located just outside of Durham at 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, NC 27712. Admission is free. The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, see the official website!
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