duke homestead

OK so my kids were here at Thanksgiving -- I am new to the area. I had seen it all ready and while it's (the museum, not the house) very dated in many ways, it's also amazing in how it documents the rise of the Duke family. They were the JP Morgans of the antebellum (post civil war) south. They basically created a monopoly pre Trust-Busting era. From tobacco to their expansion to Duke University and Duke Energy they were prolific. The museum itself is primarily about Tobacco, and it's a very interesting (to me) story. Of my three early-20's aged kids two found it engaging and one was bored to death. Be sure to catch the movie too. The day we went was rainy and cold and we didn't venture out to the family homestead. Not suitable for younger kids -- it's too complex.

There's an entertaining tour of the tobacco industry that this farm played a role in, but it's not all that interesting compared to other Durham attractions.

On this tour, you learn about why North Carolina became so successful in tobacco growth and sales, and how the Dukes worked their way up the ladder through innovation. You tour inside the house, the tobacco "factory", and meet a cat or two along the way. I would recommend working this into a combination of sites that are close by (Stagville, Bennett house), and going at a time there is a tour. The docents do a great job of making history come alive.

My husband isn't typically interested in museums, but he really enjoyed this site. I knew he would be because of the agricultural part of it, but I think he was also interested in learning this is where Duke University got its name. The guided tour of the homestead and outbuildings was very well done and it is really interesting to learn how they grew, harvested & made the tobacco products. Inside the museum, it was interesting to learn how they manufactured the products & how the American Tobacco company was formed, merged with others and then spilt off again. So much to learn in one place. The site is free, but gladly accepts donations. One thing to note is that the site isn't open on Sunday or Monday.

This is the Duke family old homestead. Wonderful small museum and self or given tour of tobacco barns and home. School tours and events can be arranged. Christmas here is magical and definitely worth taking the time. All decorated as would have been and so calm and beautiful!

Definitely worth a stop if you're on the hunt for NC Historic Sites or just around in the Raleigh/Durham area. Great museum and the house is magnificent! The picnic area is a good spot to eat some lunch too.

They have a large museum here that was very enjoyable. There is also a movie that should not be missed. After that there is a tour of the outbuildings. Unfortunately, our guide could not answer any of our questions.

Has a museum about tobacco, its history, growing, producing products. Nothing about the damage it does. While tobacco is bad it did lead to the development of the area and is a part of its history. The buildings on the grounds were interesting and as a photographer I liked the lack of signs and other modern attachments that take away the authenticity.

With the area's tobacco history this is a important stop for anyone trying to get to know the area. The museum is interactive and good for all ages. Admission is free.

Museum on the grounds gives history of the homestead and the Duke family as well as lots of displays and original machinery used in processing tobacco. There is also a 15 minute movie that gives info about the area and the start of the Duke empire and the impact of tobacco on the southern economy. Grounds consist of the original home as well as 4 other buildings used to dry and process the tobacco. Map provides a self guided tour.

My family recently visited the Duke Homestead located a little north of Durham, NC. They offer a rather extensive museum on everything tobacco-related, a 15-minute film and a guided tour of the buildings and grounds. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. She made the history "come alive" with little know facts about the family and their personalities, quirks and all. We left knowing much more about tobacco processing, the Duke family and Durham than we had known before. I would definitely recommend it. And the best part...it's FREE!

Some visiting relatives and myself went to the Duke Homestead, as they had seen many of the other attractions in the area before. We thought it would be like an hour and go, but we were pleasantly surprised and stayed longer. There's a fixed exhibit on tobacco growing and the Duke family, supplemented by a 15-min video, and an hour-long guided tour of the grounds. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making the tour a real learning experience. Well worth the trip!There's also seasonal exhibits (e.g. demonstrations of the tobacco-growing and processing) throughout the year, so I hope to return for one.And it's free!

The museum and tour highlight a critical part of the area's history. Seeing the manufacturing machines in the museum was interesting along with the old TV ads for cigarettes. The tour shows how the Dukes started with pipe tobacco and moved up from there. The grounds and buildings were well maintained.If you are looking for a day trip destination with kids, it is worth spends a couple of hours here.

Well organised and with nice displays you learn a lot about Durham and the environment and life as it used to be at the beginning of the last century.

The displays were very good. Having been rather knowledge challenged on the subject of tobacco growing and harvesting, I learned a lot. The video was very interesting. It's always nice to see an 1850's home and the furnishings. Our guide took us to the tobacco factory on the property and showed us how the leaf was flailed and sifted. This is something that I had never seen before. The setting is gorgeous and very peaceful. The walk from the visitors center to the farm's buildings goes through a peaceful wooded area. Watch your footing on the farm. There are lots of roots to stumble on!