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    Mordecai Historic Park

    4.4 (22 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Mordecai Historic Park Photos

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    Mired since House
    Uel L.

    This place was built in 1785. through the years, they kept extending this property where it became the biggest property in the neighborhood. It looks like it is the beginning of modern home development and commercial development right in downtown Raleigh. (This is my version of the story. But if you're curious how this became a significant historical spot, google would be the best story teller.) In this property, also comes with a small house where it is President Andrew Johnson's birthplace and his childhood home. I can't imagine myself in that house. So tiny. If you happen to be visiting Raleigh, check this place out but you don't need to make a special trip just for this.

    Mordecai House from the 1780s. Oldest home in Raleigh.
    Ian M.

    The Mordecai Historical Park houses the Mordecai House, Raleigh's oldest, dating to the late 18th century. It belonged to the original land owner that owned most of Raleigh. The house is named after Mr Mordecai a merchant that married one of the daughters of the original owner. The house was in the family well into the 20th century. It has now been reduced to this one square block. The city has transplanted several historical buildings to the site, the most historically significant being the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, our 17 president--assuming office after the assignation of Lincoln in April 1865-and until recently the worst. He was the first to be impeached, almost convicted in the Senate, and lost reelection; never having served a full term. Really not one of our stellar POTUS. Also of note in the park is an old church and to me a law office. There is very few interpretive signs at the park other than for President Johnson's boyhood home. There is some public parking at the property and restrooms. There is not much here other than the park and it is located in a residential neighborhood, so plan accordingly for snacks and or refreshments.

    Ted G.

    We found this to be very a very fascinating tour and a great opportunity to learn about how Raleigh became the city it is today. The tour actually covers much more than I expected and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable of the family history. In addition to The Mordecai house, the Park also includes the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson, the Ellen Mordecai Garden, the Badger-Iredell Law Office, Allen Kitchen and St. Mark's Chapel. The tour allows you to see the entire inside of the house as well as the surrounding buildings located in there park. It was fascinating to see the architecture of the church and the amazing woodwork which you will never see replicated today. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mordecai family sold off land, which was subdivided for the continuing expansion of Raleigh. A very worthwhile tour. Cheers!

    trolley tour
    Lana L.

    We purchased the combo tickets (trolley tour and house tour), which were only $12/person. Both are about 50 minutes long. The trolley tour takes you through downtown Raleigh and the tour guide gives a great overview of the local history and stories behind many of the buildings and houses, such as the Joel Lane House. The house tour was fascinating. It's centered around Andrew Johnson first, then the Mordecai family. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer everyone's questions. Really enjoyed the tours, especially the house tour. Very informative and interesting. Both tours definitely give you a better sense of Raleigh's past. There is parking right across from where the trolley parks.

    Ann H.

    Mordecai house is fascinating. According to the literature and my knowledgeable but not so enthusiastic-as-to-be-annoying tour guide, it's the oldest home in Raleigh still in its original location. Not sure anyone could miss it driving through downtown with it's off-putting mustard color that I later learned was the original color ( **gaah**). Still, despite the weird color, the house is part of an amazing tour. Walking through it was a trip in history and nearly everything in the house was original; even the bookcases were filled with what looked like original editions. The tour guide mentioned the home was occupied by a member of the Mordecai family from the time it was built in 1785 until 1964. I guess when you're living in a family home that's passed through the generations, you don't really realize how long you've had things. They become part of the scenery and your life. (That probably explains my blindness to the boxes in my spare room.) There are several other buildings on the property, most of them moved here by the historical society. All of them, even the chapel and the home in which Andrew Johnson was born are the small homes with minimal windows, common in the era. I appreciate the minimalism, but find the idea of only 1 or 2 windows claustrophobic. Overall it was an interesting view into how the elite of their time lived: All for a reasonable three to five dollars a person and taking only half an hour or hour depending on which tour you choose. Oh . . . and the house isn't haunted. Too bad. It's a perfect setting for it with halloween on the horizon.

    Laurie V.

    Nice historic venue to visit. Complimentary Christmas open house (even though the Mordecai family was Jewish). Cookies and hot cider were served and the docents were quite knowledgeable and friendly. It is a long walk up here from "downtown proper", but I thoroughly enjoyed it on an unseasonably warm 70 degree December day. Lovely home. Interesting stories.

    Gloria H.

    This was fascinating to me, such rich history and of course at the same time it was a somewhat somber tour, well delivered by the guide and super informative but yea sad to think of the slavery part of this old plantation home

    Gessica P.

    Work right across the street from Mordecai! Attended the Escape to Freedom tour that was put on by MOJOAA Performing Arts Company. It was excellent. We got to walk through the day in the life of slaves that once lived at Mordecai from the time they were brought from the ships from Africa to plantation and followed their journey to freedom! Mordecai also has a lot of other cool stuff that happens there. Will plan on going back and taking one of our youth groups.

    Jenean T.

    We've enjoyed a thorough tour of the site. City of Raleigh staff provide guided tours daily, no reservations required. A visitor's center features an exhibit on three Mordecai family and souvenirs. We're too tired to visit the center and will leave it for another adventure. Staff and volunteers are preparing for their haunted house tours this weekend--Oct 29.

    Cindy G.

    My husband and I couldn't resist attending this holiday lantern tour for only five dollars and 70° weather in December. We made phone reservations for 5:30 pm for a one hour tour. When we arrived, our names weren't on the list but they offered us a 5:45 pm tour, which was fine. We waited in an adorable chapel where there were musicians including very talented children playing Christmas music as we sang to the songs. Hot apple cider and cookies were available. There was a Civil War reenactment outdoors, then several amazing acting in the Mordecai house and the slave quarters. The talented actors and their conversations gave you a good idea how life was at that time. The staff was very friendly and professional. A great place to take out-of-towners as well. Parking is right there and free and walking the tour is pretty easy as it is mostly flat outside. Part of the tour includes going up some stairs.

    1826 "front" portion of Mordecai House

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    Great historical district part of Raleigh. Beautiful houses and buildings. Fully restored to it's historical beauty.

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    9 years ago

    Very cool tour. Lot's of walking and stairs. Not handicap friendly. I learned lots of cool information about former presidents and Raleigh.

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    Ask the Community - Mordecai Historic Park

    Review Highlights - Mordecai Historic Park

    The tour guide mentioned the home was occupied by a member of the Mordecai family from the time it was built in 1785 until 1964.

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    State School for the Blind - State School for the Blind Historical Marker, Raleigh

    State School for the Blind

    2.0(1 review)
    1.8 mi

    This marker stands at an intersection in Pullen Park and points out the nearby presence of the…read moreNorth Carolina State School for the Blind. It is a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker but it is not numbered and is not in the search. The marker reads, "Established 1845 under leadership of Governor John Motley Morehead." The marker was erected in 1952 by the Archives, Conservation and Highway Departments. The North Carolina State School for the Blind was established in 1845 as the North Carolina Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. It was one of the first state-supported educational programs for children with disabilities in the South. The initiative was spearheaded by Governor John Motley Morehead, who was a strong advocate for education and the disabled. The school initially opened in Raleigh with four teachers and 23 deaf students between the ages of 8 and 32. By 1851, blind students began enrolling, and the institution expanded to include vocational classes such as shoemaking and sewing. The school remained open during the Civil War, although it faced challenges due to a lack of supplies. Over the years, the school underwent several changes, including desegregation in the 1960s and a name change to Governor Morehead School in 1964. Today, it continues to serve as a K-12 public school for the blind, providing education and support to students with visual impairments. There isn't a good spot to stop to read the marker unless you park in Pullen Park and walk over. [Review 2459 of 2024 - 3914 in North Carolina - 23471 overall]

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    State School for the Blind - State School for the Blind Historical Marker, Raleigh

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    State School for the Blind Historical Marker, Raleigh

    Joel Lane Museum House

    Joel Lane Museum House

    4.2(6 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    I stumbled upon this gem of a history lesson by accident while walking to downtown from our Airbnb…read more Catherine gave my son and I a great tour and history of Raleigh. I'm a history buff and she was able to keep me interested in an area of the country I know little of. Always fun to learn local history. It's free and enjoyable.

    I had never been to the Joel Lane House Museum so the Fourth of July Celebration was the perfect…read moretime. The museum offers free parking on St. Mary's Street and more parking in front of the house on West Hargett. Admission is usually charged but was free for this event as we were not given the official tour but received $4 off coupons to return for a tour. They provided Howling Cow ice cream and free lemonade too. So who was Joel Lane? Joel Lane is considering a Founding Father of North Carolina and Raleigh. He sold 1,000 acres of land to make Raleigh the State Capital. The Joel Lane Museum House is the oldest house in Raleigh and is older than Wake County. The decision to move North Carolina's Capital to Raleigh happened in the Joel Lane House. As they say "it was the room that it happened". Joel Lane was a slave holder of 43 adults and children. They are the ones who built the house and maintained the plantation, raising the livestock, cooking and caring for the Lane family. The museum provides a way for us to see how life would have been back then from the candles to the necessary to the toys they had to how they made yarn for clothing. The herb garden provided a method for medicine. The holiday event provided an overview but I am planning to return for a tour to learn more of the history and see all of the property.

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    Joel Lane Museum House - Gift shop

    Gift shop

    Joel Lane Museum House
    Joel Lane Museum House

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    Haywood Hall & Gardens

    Haywood Hall & Gardens

    4.6(7 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We've just moved here from the West Coast, and family came to visit. They love historical homes and…read morehistory, but all the ones online that are so beautiful I guess are closed now, which is really sad!! So we didn't have any hopes for this one BUT ladies were there and helped us get a tour the next day!!! They were all so sweet and great!! My parents were so impressed with the facts of the tour and our tour guide that we talked about it for hours afterwards!!! So if you love history and gorgeous homes, make sure you sign up for a tour!! You can also stay in the house if you're having your wedding there!

    I got married at Haywood Hall & Gardens on 11/04/2017. We found Haywood Hall in July 2016 and…read moreimmediately fell in love! Greg, Haywood Hall's curator, is so helpful and can answer any question you might have about holding your wedding at the location. The grounds are beautiful and the house as the backdrop to the ceremony is unique. We spent about 16 months planning our wedding. Greg has lots of recommendations for outside vendors, as you need to bring everything, from tables and chairs, alcohol, food, cake, etc. in as none of this is provided by the venue. This gives you a lot of flexibility to plan your own wedding, but does require a lot of time and effort. Both the ceremony and reception sites are outdoor, so be wary of that because there is no flexible rain plan. It might not be the great choice for summer or winter, but mid-April through early June and mid-September through mid-November are perfect for holding a wedding. I've seen the springs blooms and we had peak fall colors the first week of November. Just an all-around unique piece of Raleigh that in my opinion is a great place to have your special day.

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    Haywood Hall & Gardens
    Haywood Hall & Gardens - The ceremony walk way.

    The ceremony walk way.

    Haywood Hall & Gardens - February 2018 - Haywood Hall getting a fresh layer of paint!

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    February 2018 - Haywood Hall getting a fresh layer of paint!

    Mordecai Historic Park - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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