They hosted stagville under the stars with morehead planetarium staff from unc. Historic stagville adventures in north carolina culture. Approximately 900 slaves worked that land, which totalled almost 30,000 acres by 1860. A birthday party for addy at historic stagville april 9. Stagville plantation surveyors uncover enslaved peoples. Stagville under the stars, 6 pm storytelling and stargazing with the morehead planetarium. The plantation belonged to the bennehancameron family, whose combined holdings totaled approximately 900 enslaved people and almost 30,000 acres of land by 1860. How large was the stagville plantation at its height, including acres and enslaved people. He began to purchase plantation lands near the johnston store in 1776, and in the.
This historic site shares the story of a precivil war farm. When i visited the site on thursday, june 4, there were numerous locations that could be photographed that captured the lives of pre civil war african americans in north carolina. Tales of north carolina field trips our state magazine. Interpreting the lives, families, culture, and work of enslaved people on the bennehancameron plantations. I had a nice time at historic stagville last friday night. The network of trading paths holds great significance to north. Comprises the remains of north carolinas largest precivil war plantation and one of the souths. I really enjoy reading her books, said 8yearold celeste inkumsah. This is very much a work in progress, so check back with this site to check on our progression with this project. Stagville protects a fraction of the land from that plantation. Phasing and mean ceramic dates can be found on the chronology page. Documents tell story of stagville plantation in north carolina. Bennehan came to north carolina in 1768 to manage a store on little river owned by scottish merchant william johnston.
The stagville plantation is located in durham county, north carolina. The plantation belonged to the bennehancameron family, whose combined holdings totalled approximately 900 slaves and almost 30,000 acres by 1860. Now called historic stagville plantation, it was once a thriving tobacco plantation housing at its peak in 1860 an estimated 900 slaves and comprised of 30,000 acres. On this webpage, you will find information relating to the african american community at historic stagville in durham county, north carolina prior to the civil war. Bennehan came to north carolina in 1768 to manage a store on little river. Addy walkers story is based on the life of mary walker, who escaped from stagvilles owners in 1848. The center of north carolinas largest precivil war plantation and one of the largest such operations in the south. These books are available online, at our site, or at your local library. Durham amid the woodland sounds in a clearing north of durham stands a twostory antebellum house with white wooden siding. After removal of the tracts trees, the timber company sold the house and land to liggett and myers lige which donated the complex to the state of north carolina in 1976. The picture that most people probably get in their minds when you say enslaved person is. North carolina is strongly urging residents and visitors to take precautions relating to the coronavirus covid19, including social distancing and avoiding nonessential travel. The entire complex was owned by the bennehan, mantack and cameron families.
By 1860, the cameron family owned almost 30,000 acres and nearly 900 slaves. Stagville was of one of the largest plantations in the antebellum south. Stargazing with an african twist in durham, an exploration of african american sailors during the civil war in southport and a day of free admission to tryon palace in new bern are just a few of the opportunities for fun and discovery youll find this weekend with the n. The white plantation owners documented their history through. The visitors increased from 6000 in 2007 to nearly 00 in 2008. Historic stagville preserves a small fraction of the plantation holdings of the. The people at stagville have worked hard to make slavery the emphasis of interpretation. Searching for women and african americans at historic stagville. Kimberly graduated from the university of north carolina at chapel hill in 2008 and. With buildings constructed from the late 18th century to the mid19th century, stagville was part of one of the largest plantation complexes in the american south. Documents tell story of stagville plantation in north.
By the time of the civil war, the plantations covered 47 square miles of land. Stagville, a plantation of several thousand acres, lay at the center of this enormous estate. Stagville state historic site in durham stagville state. The north carolina plantation holdings of the bennehancameron family were among the largest of the precivil war south. A dirt road with pine trees towering on both sides leads to stagville plantation, a place that helped define north carolina. Stagville, an eastern orange county now durham county plantation of. The bennehancameron family owned approximately 30,000 acres of land, and claimed ownership over about 900 people who were enslaved on this property.
Historic stagville is a state historic site in durham, north carolina. The tour guide was very informative and invested in sharing the history, though our group was really too big. There are some pretty incredible sites across the usa when it comes to history, but one of the most significant might be historic stagville, found in durham, north carolina here, you will find the remnants of one of the largest plantations that existed of the precivil war south. Stagville plantation is located in durham county, north carolina. Stagville, a plantation of several thousand acres, lay at the center of this enormous. This volume provides an entertaining and informative guide to north carolina history for students and professionals, teens and seniors, natives and newcomers.
By 1860, the family owned almost 30,000 acres and nearly 900 slaves. Once one of the largest plantations in the south, with 900 slaves and almost 30,000 acres of land, stagville is a preserved piece of history. A former state treasurer of the sons of the american revolution, vincent was president of the historic stagville foundation of durham, north carolina, from 19992001. Stagville state historic site durham 2020 all you need. Flat blackbeard heard theres treasure in the ghl rare books 20. Historic stagville is a state historic site that includes the remnants of the one of the largest plantations in north carolina. While stagville continues its research on enslaved women at that site, north carolinas department of natural and cultural resources has kicked off a series of events about women who have. Stagville was one of the largest plantations in north carolina prior to the civil war and among the largest of the entire south.
Our north carolina books help you discover the most important events in the states history, its culture, and its community evolution throughout time. In 1950, the stagvillefairntosh estate was divided between camerons daughters, and stagville was sold to a timber company. Stagville state historic site, 5828 old oxford highway in durham, contains the remnants of one of the largest plantations of the precivil war south. Flat blackbeard heard theres treasure in the ghl rare books wrgrsng4cm 20. What are three signs of wealth in the plantation home. I think for those of us that grew up in the north, the plantation and slavery times are. This database includes family trees from the cameron family slave records, as well as information offered by descendant families. Addy walker is fifth in the popular american girls doll series and stagville is celebrating her birthday saturday, april 9 at 10 a. Vera cecelski, site manager at historic stagville, says the plantation has a special history. Historians at stagville plantation in durham county nc are sifting through documents to piece together the past. Stagville, an eastern orange county now durham county plantation of several thousand acres, initially belonged to virginiaborn merchant richard bennehan 17431825. Visit stagville state historic site on your trip to durham. Billion graves cemeteries of granville county source. The park preserves two homes dating from the 1700s, original slave cabins, barns, a graveyard and other features of a 30,000 acre plantation that was the largest in north carolina.
This mothers day weekend, the stagville state historic site in durham. Featuring an 18thcentury house, a 19thcentury house. We visited stagville, while visiting cary, nc from seattle. Shortly after joining adam matthew this year i set off to north carolina for an archive research trip. Posts about historic stagville written by nc culture. A detailed history of the bennehancameron families, including a chapter focused on enslaved african americans mentioned in their family letters and business records. Stagville state historic site versatile humanists at duke. I toured this fascinating site with rose hammitt while in chapel hill for the north american travel journalist conference. Cimarron homes will start construction soon on the elkin, a mostly main floor living floor plan at 1925 sq. Historic stagville post visit questions north carolina. Over 200 years ago, it was called the big house, when stagville.
Stagville state historic site preserves the remnants of the bennehancameron plantations, one of the largest plantation complexes in north carolina. Like all fourthgraders in north carolina, she worked on a north carolina project mandated in the department. The remains of historic stagville consist of 71 acres 290,000 m2, in three tracts, and provide a unique look at north carolinas history and general infrastructure. Stagville under the stars african folktales about the. Historic stagville north carolina historic sites nc. With buildings constructed from the late 18th century to the mid19th century, it was one of the largest plantation complexes in the american south.
Today, the stagville grounds span 71 acres 29 hectares and are home to horton grove, the historic more. Take a tour of the stagville state historic site, united states to visit historic site in durham. Paying tribute to the past at historic stagville, nc. Family history day, 10 to 2 open house about genealogy and researching enslaved ancestors in nc. Our selection includes books for children and primary and secondary students. The plantation holdings of the bennehancameron families were among the largest in precivil war north carolina, and among the largest of the entire south. Historic stagville sits outside of durham, north carolina. Books cover diverse topics that highlight the africanamerican experience during the antebellum period, particularly in the areas of cooking and enslaved work. Stagville historic site features stories of enslaved women. The stagville state historic site is located in durham, north carolina. Genealogists or family members interested in this information can contact the site to learn more. Stagville historic site features stories of enslaved women wunc. Stagville was once part of a 30,000acre 12,140 hectares slave plantation, one of the largest north carolina. Stagville was the first in a series of historythemed family field trips we undertook last year when kate was in fourth grade.
Stagville is rich in history in both the written and oral accounts of the slaves memories long after they were freed after the civil war. For ten years vincent was a member of the alamance county historic properties commission, and he has also served on the advisory board of preservation north carolina. Stagville plantation bahama 2020 all you need to know. The histories of enslaved women at stagville plantation in durham are. Historic stagville comprises the remnants of the largest plantation in north carolina. History visit stagville state historic site historic stagville. The staff at historic stagville keeps an ongoing genealogy database at the site. Stagville was one of the largest plantations in north carolina, maybe even. The history of enslaved people at stagville dates back to 1771, and the last records of stagville descendants living on the land continues until. L ocated in durham, historic stagville comprises the remnants of one of the largest plantations of the precivil war south. Our gift shop at the visitor center contains a variety of items.
Visit stagville state historic site historic stagville. Stagville was one of the largest plantations in north carolina, maybe. Billion graves for granville county, north carolina source. This book features family history and transcripts of enslaved peoples names from. Whilst there i had the opportunity to visit historic stagville, the site of one of the largest plantations in north carolina and the precivil war south at its peak during the 1850s and early 1860s. History of nc agriculture agriculture in north carolina.
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