Stagville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stagville
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, North Carolina |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1799 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001338 |
| Added to NRHP | May 25, 1973 |
Stagville Plantation is a historic site located in Durham County, North Carolina. It was once part of one of the largest plantation complexes in the Southern United States. This huge area was owned by the Bennehan, Mantack, and Cameron families.
By 1860, the entire complex covered about 30,000 acres (121 square kilometers). Nearly 900 enslaved African Americans were forced to live and work on these lands. Today, the preserved part of Historic Stagville is 71 acres (28.7 hectares). It offers a special look into North Carolina's past before the American Civil War.
You can see several historic buildings at Stagville. These include the original Bennehan House and some of the original slave quarters. These quarters are found in an area called Horton Grove.
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Discovering Historic Stagville
Historic Stagville helps us understand a difficult but important part of American history. It shows what life was like for both the wealthy landowners and the enslaved people. The site helps visitors learn about the daily lives and struggles of those who lived there.
The Bennehan House and Horton Grove
The Bennehan House was built in 1787, with a large addition added in 1799. This main house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as a very important historic place.
Horton Grove is another key part of Stagville. It features two-story buildings where enslaved people lived. These buildings were constructed around 1850. Horton Grove was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. These slave residences are very well preserved. They are the only two-story slave quarters still standing in North Carolina.
Learning from the Past
Archaeologists have found many interesting things around the slave quarters. These discoveries help historians understand the lives of the many enslaved people. They show how these individuals lived and worked at Stagville. Their findings also tell us about the broader lands owned by the Bennehan and Cameron families.
Stagville Today: A Historic Site
In 1976, a tobacco company called Liggett and Meyers Tobacco Company owned the land. They donated some of it to the state of North Carolina. Now, the state operates the property as Historic Stagville State Historic Site.
It is a historic house museum, which means you can visit and learn about its history. The site is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It serves as an important place for education and remembrance.
