The Mordecai House was opened this past weekend for the annual Holiday Open House. With COVID, it was a little different than usual. Names and phone numbers were taken as well as a temperature check and the typical questions asked about being ill and travel. Masks were required and hand sanitizer was available. The chapel and visitor's center were open too so they provided a wrist band after you were checked so you didn't need to be checked again. I was very impressed how well planned they were for this. The number in the house and each room were limited too. Volunteers were inside in each room to provide some history. The rooms were also decorated for different periods of time over 235 years from Victorian to the Civil War to The house is the oldest house in Raleigh on its original foundation. A lot of the original items are still in the home. Besides the house, the park has a garden, law office, kitchen, chapel so there is plenty to see or have a picnic in the park. read more

See all

Quaint area in downtown Raleigh with historic homes and buildings that have been preserved in their original state. Unfortunately we arrived too late in the day to partake in the guided tour, but it was still interesting to walk around and read about the buildings. I would not make a special trip for just the Mordecai Historic Park, but it's definitely worth adding to your Itinerary if you're planning a trip to Raleigh. read more

See all

I think it's extremely important to learn the history of the place that you're living. I saw this park advertised on Instagram and I wanted to go check it out. If you wanna walk around the grounds you can however if you wanna see inside the building you have to take a scheduled tour. I went on a Sunday it was only seven dollars and they were about six other people on the tour so very small. They showed us a small house that is similar to the one Andrew Johnson, which was the president after Lincoln, was probably born in. He was born in Raleigh. They showed us a very cute little chapel that was actually from another plantation and built by hand by enslaved people. The house was lived in by the Mordecai family. Based on the historical information in the visitor center they were a family who had a lot of power and money and enslaved hundreds of people. This park is not hiding the ugly truths of history however displaying them. The visitor center talked about the Civil War and reconstruction as well. After the tour we were given copies of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Narrative of Former Mordecai Slaves. These are interviews of people who were born into slavery, freed after the Civil War and lived through reconstruction. read more

Mordecai Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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. read more

Mordecai Historic Park - Mired since House - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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. read more

See all

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! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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

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. read more

Mordecai Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

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. read more

See all

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 read more

See all

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. read more

Mordecai Historic Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

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

If you're a history buff, want to learn more about Raleigh or just like sitting back and relaxing on a tour of the city, you should check out Historic Raleigh Trolley Tour. The tour leaves from Mordecai Historic Park and goes around the downtown area of Raleigh. The tour guide explains the history of the homes, buildings and areas on the tour with a decent amount of information. There were times I wanted to know more and there were times I wanted to know less, but everyone is interested in different things, so it was pretty well-rounded. The tour lasts for one hour and they leave 11:00, noon, 1:00 and 2:00. Tickets can be purchased in person in the gift shop or by calling them on the phone. Tickets for adults are $10.00 and children under 6 are free. read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

Our tour guide was informative and engaging. The tours take about an hour and are more interesting than you'd expect. A lot of the homes are in new locations, "thought to be" one thing or another, or have items that have been many times replaced over the years so they are "not original, but period accurate". So if you're a historical purist, this may bug you. read more

I took my three school-aged kids to Mordecai Historic Park a week and a half ago. It was more than worthwhile if you're a history buff visiting the area with a few hours to spare, or a local who has not been there before. We toured the inside of the house, but it was brief because there was only one employee there that afternoon and he needed to supervise a wedding rehearsal at the chapel, which looks like a lovely place to have that special day. They also rent out the grounds for special events and offer alcohol licenses for those events if desired. I have many photos of the interior of the house and environs, and describe the park and history more in depth here: http://muffeeeeeeee.blogspot.com/2013/09/an-outing-to-mordecai-historic-park.html I was happy to go there with my family. Additionally, I would like to add that Mordecai Springs, which you see a sign for right by the parking area is more or less a non-event. We strolled over there to take a peek and I'd wager it *might* have a few walking paths (that look kind of creepy, to be honest) and could be a decent place to walk a pet, but it's not really worth the bug bites if you are not into applying bug repellant. read more

Mordecai Historic Park - 1826 "front" portion of Mordecai House - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Have attended the Christmas reenactment and it was fantastic - but recently tried to take two sets of visitors for a tour. Both times the venue was closed. I look forward to being able to bring visitors to this location and have them see the insides as well as the outsides. read more

This small park in Raleigh features several Historic Building including the Mordecai House, St. Mark's Chapel and the building where President Andrew Johnson was born. I visited on Sunday Morning and the historic building were not open for tours, however I did enjoy walking around and learning about the history of each building. The Johnson Birthplace was moved to it's current location in the 1940's. read more

It's a decent historic site but the tour guide was rather annoying and combined a story of history with speculation and here say. But the property is pretty well kept but it's a very confusing historic site due to the fact that different out buildings from a variety of time periods are added to the site. It's a nice site I visited on a tour for a class but I would have hated to have paid to visit it. read more

We rented the chapel and the grounds for our wedding October 27th and we loved it! I couldn't ask for a better experience! The rental manager was there and so helpful the day before and the day of. Everything was beautiful and so quaint. Thank you so much for everything you do! read more