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Historic Sites
Founded as North Carolina’ s state capital in 1792, Raleigh reaps many rewards for history lovers. Visit the State Capitol to learn about secret rooms, ghost stories and the principles upon which the State of North Carolina was founded. Historic Oakwood is a Victorian-style neighborhood and features an old graveyard full of prominent Raleigh figures. Among several historic homes to tour is the Executive Mansion, which was made entirely of materials from North Carolina.
Haywood Hall House and Gardens V 211 New Bern Pl., Raleigh 27601; 919.832.8357; www. haywoodhall. org John Haywood, the state’ s first elected treasurer, built this Federal-style frame house in 1799 for his family, in whose hands it remained until 1977 when the property and furnishings were left to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of N. C. It is the oldest house on its original site within the city limits of Raleigh. The house museum contains family portraits, original furnishings and a permanent collection. Free admission; donations accepted. Hours: Thurs., 10:30am-1:30pm( Mar.-Dec.)
Historic Oakwood P. O. Box 27283, Raleigh 27604; 919.832.9712; www. historicoakwood. org A historic neighborhood of lovinglyrestored Victorian and early 20th-century homes in a great variety of styles and sizes, many with beautiful gardens. This 30-block area to the east of the 100-700 blocks of Person Street may be enjoyed by driving or walking; self-guided walking tour brochures available at the Greater Raleigh Visitor Information Center( off City Plaza, Fayetteville St., downtown Raleigh). Annual Spring Tea & Garden Tour and Christmas Candlelight Tour offer opportunities to enter homes and gardens.
Historic Oakwood Cemetery 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh 27601; 919.832.6077; www. historicoakwoodcemetery. com Adjacent to Historic Oakwood, the Oakwood Cemetery, with over 20,000 interments, is the resting place of approximately 1,500 Confederate soldiers, five Civil War generals, seven governors and numerous U. S. Senators. Established in 1869, it is an excellent example of Victorian landscaping and mortuary art. Free maps of the cemetery are available at the cemetery office. Free admission. Hours: Daily, 8am-6pm( except winter, 8am- 5pm).
Historic Tours of Raleigh 2013 St. Mary’ s St., Raleigh 27608; 919.755.1612 Historic Tours of Raleigh provides guides for walking tours and step on guides for buses in Raleigh and beyond. Theme tours include: Civil War in Raleigh, Victorian homes, colleges and churches, love stories and scandals and more. Reservations must be made 72 hours in advance.
Historic Trolley Tours 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 27604; 919.857.4364; www. raleighnc. gov / mordecai Enjoy a narrated tour of downtown Raleigh from an“ old” point of view! The tour lasts approximately one hour. The trolley stops at Mordecai Historic Park, Bicentennial Plaza, Glenwood South, Joel Lane Museum House and City Market. Passengers can de-board at these stops and re-board at no addtional fee; seating is not guaranteed when re-boarding the trolley. Cost: $ 8 for adults, $ 4 for youth( 7- 17), free for children( six and under). Hours: the trolley leaves from Mordecai Historic Park every Sat., at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm( Mar.-Dec.); call or visit website to confirm.
Historic Yates Mill County Park V 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh 27603; 919.856.6675; www. wakegov. com / parks / yatesmill / The 174-acre park features hiking trails, Historic Yates Mill, Wake County’ s last remaining gristmill, and the mill’ s 20-acre pond, which is fed by Steep Hill Creek and is part of the Swift Creek nutrient-sensitive, water-supply watershed. The old waterpowered mill( circa 1756) is fully restored and operable and is an outstanding record of the evolution of early industry in the lower Piedmont region of North Carolina. Free admission. Hours: Daily, 8am-sunset; mill tour hours are limited and vary seasonally.
Joel Lane Museum House V 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh 27603; 919.833.3431; www. joellane. org Built in the 1770s, this landmark is Wake County’ s oldest existing home. As the center of the old Wake Court House community, it became the“ Birthplace of Raleigh” when its owner, Joel Lane, a prominent statesman and Revolutionary war soldier, sold 1,000 acres of his plantation for the formation of the new state capital in 1792. Informative guided tours of the fully restored and authentically furnished house, period gardens and dependencies are provided by costumed docents. Cost: $ 5 for adults, $ 4 for seniors, $ 3 for students, free for children under six. Hours: Wed.-Fri., 10am-2pm; Sat., 1-4pm( except Jan.-Feb., 1-4pm on Sat. only).
Mordecai Historic Park V 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 27604; 919.857.4364; www. raleighnc. gov / mordecai Visit an antebellum plantation house and stroll along a“ village street” of historic structures, including the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States. Admission for park tours: $ 5 for adults, $ 3 for seniors, $ 3 for youth( 7-17), free for children( six and under). Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-3pm; Sun., 1-3pm; one-hour tours begin every hour, with last tour at 3pm; call or visit website to confirm.