I live in Massachusetts and visited a friend in Charlotte a few weeks ago. He'd wanted to visit…read moreStagville Plantation for a tour, so we took the drive. The woman who guided the tour was wonderful. I wish I knew her name - if she gave it, I didn't hear it. She started off by telling us that she would talk a little bit about the property and the buildings, but would focus mostly on the slaves who were held there, and what their daily lives were like. At no point did she seem like she had memorized a script. She spoke intelligently and knowledgeably, and really gave us a feel for what Stagville's enslaved people endured. She welcomed questions, and was very clear about what she knew, what she didn't know, and what she surmised. There were 2 people on the tour who, if I had been the guide, I would have wanted to slap. However, our guide handled their questions with tact... Our guide spoke about children being born into slavery on the plantation, and she said that the moment a baby drew their first breath, they were a slave. She said they were put to work at age 7, working from sunrise to sundown. Then she asked any children aged 7 or older to raise their hands, which they did. The guide said, "You would have been put to work at the age of 7," and one boy, around age 8 or 9, replied, "But I'm not black." (Yes, I wanted to slap him.) The guide replied, "No you're not. But I'm telling you about this so you can use your imagination to see what life might have been like." The second person I wanted to slap was a woman, probably in her 40s or 50s, who asked, "Were the slaves treated well?" (Do you see why I wanted to slap her? Does she not understand what slavery was?) The guide replied that she should be able to tell from the information being given on the tour, but that we would get back to that question later. Near the end of the tour, the guide asked the woman, 'What was your question again?" and the woman replied, again, "Were the slaves treated well?" The guide asked other people taking the tour for their opinions, and everyone was pretty clear with their responses. The guide handled it like a champ. All in all, this was a very informative, well planned tour about a horrible time in our history. I would highly recommend it.

This entrance is only for the visitor center guests, bathroom and few pictorials to look at. The…read moresite is huge, comprised of several land spaces that require driving to and from. Highly recommend going in at 1pm where there is a tour. If you go alone without a guide all you see is the buildings and just grass... Wish we knew ahead of time a bit more of this laidback type historic area where we met only one person in charge and she's already occupied with 2 other ppl explaining its history behind a desk.

This is such a cool little museum and place to see if you are wanting to do something unique in…read moreDurham that's rich in the city's history. Museum: 5/5 The museum has a ton of cool displays that show the early days of the tobacco industry and Duke family. Right outside of the museum is a large area with a trail that takes you by the Dukes original house, tobacco plants and the tobacco field. You are free to wonder the grounds. However, I recommend paying for the guided tour. With that you get to go inside the structures and hear all about the history of the property and early tobacco industry. In addition you get to learn a lot about the events that shaped the city. Price: 5/5 The museum and grounds is FREE! The guided tour is only $4. Coming from CA, it doesn't get much better than this! Customer Service: 5/5 The guide was great! Very friendly and very knowledgeable in the content. Parking: 5/5 Huge parking lot right in front. Parking was great.

I think it best to take the guided tour, you get a great history of the Duke family's transition…read morefrom farming to production - leading to an efficient industry. Highlights include entering the 2nd factory and the Duke family home. (And I can't get "Duke, duke, duke... Duke of Earl, duke, duke out of my head). You even get to whack tobacco. While the tobacco industry goes back earlier, it is just about the time after the Civil War ends that it really gets interesting, as soldiers coming home chew (or is that "chaw"), smoke, or sniff tobacco. Washington Duke capitalized on it. And now... there's a university and gardens named after the family - with a top notch basketball program, of course! The tour is about an hour. There are other building to see from the outside. Can ask as many questions as you like!

Interesting spot to walk around and learn about some Civil War history. You can walk inside some of…read morethe structures and the house on the property. The staff were all very friendly - they were setting up for a field trip the morning we visited. Next time, I'd like to go on a guided tour to learn more about the site. We also took a walk through the trails in the woods, that only took us about 15 minutes. The trails were easy but they do have a lot of roots, so you need to be careful not to trip! Some parts of the trail were a little overgrown, but still passable.

Really interesting historical site, kind and knowledgeable staff. The trails are also lovely for…read moresome added walking opportunities.

There are many unsung cities, places and people that can claim the monicker BLACK WALL STREET…read moreDurham, NC is one of them. It was home to Mechanics and Farmers Bank and North Carolina Mutual. At a time when it was difficult for Blacks to own businesses, homes or pay for services and good. Several of North Carolinas citizens including two African-American entrepreneurs: John Merrick and Charles Spaulding worked toward the goal of generational wealth. These innovative Black citizens used their resources from their smaller businesses such as a barber shop to create North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance and others. Although this initiative received support from the wealthy Duke family (tobacco) with its growing success in the community it soon faced opposition. Several businesses and buildings were vandalized. On March 2, 1902, a group of whites burned down an office owned by North Carolina Mutual. Black Wall Street Historic Parrish Street had several businesses throughout out four blocks. Pictures, a historic building and historical marker stands to depict the history of HISTORIC PARRISH STREET DURHAM, NC.

Well, the more you know. I was unfamiliar with this bit of history as I'm not a Durham native. The…read moremarker helped me learn something and perhaps you'll learn something too. Erected in 2004 by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, marker G-116 has the same text on both sides. It reads, "In the early decades of the 1900s, Durham acquired national reputation for entrepreneurship. Businesses owned by African Americans lined Parrish Street. Among them were N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Co. (moved to Parrish, 1906), led by John Merrick, Dr. Aaron Moore, & C. C. Spaulding, and Mechanics and Farmers Bank (1907), led by R. B. Fitzgerald and W. G. Pearson." Online, there is more information. The essay on the state's web page explains how Parrish Street's rise was driven by a network of ambitious Black business leaders whose companies expanded into insurance, banking, real estate, and textiles, creating a nationally noted hub of economic strength. It highlights the praise Durham received from figures like Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, who contrasted the city's unusually supportive racial climate with harsher conditions elsewhere in the South. It concludes by noting that mid-century urban renewal severely damaged the surrounding Hayti community and accelerated the decline of the district's once-thriving business ecosystem. I would also encourage you to read Leah's review that details the much less positive side of the hisstory. [Review 1162 of 2026 - 4811 in North Carolina - 26341 overall]

Durham is a great city. During our four years living in the Durham County portion of Chapel Hill,…read morewe went out in the City of Durham more than the Town of Chapel Hill. Parts of Durham are hip and progressive, reminding us of cities like Asheville and Decatur, Georgia. I think Durham may have the best food scene when it comes to the Triangle cities, even beating Raleigh (and Cary, which continues to rise). We spent a lot of time eating at restaurants in downtown Durham. In this Yelp review, I list my top 10 favorite restaurants in Durham from our time there from June 2020 through July 2024. 1. M Sushi - The best sushi in the Triangle. Try one of the omakases. https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-sushi-durham 2. M Tempura - Outstanding and unique. Get the kaiseki. https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-tempura-durham-3 3. Juju Asian Tapas + Bar - Consistently great food with a fun, comfortable atmosphere. https://www.yelp.com/biz/juju-asian-tapas-bar-durham-3 4. Nana Steak - I love prime rib and theirs is among the best I've had anywhere. https://www.yelp.com/biz/nana-steak-durham 5. Rose's - Exceptional ramen and ice cream sandwiches. Best ramen in the Triangle. https://www.yelp.com/biz/roses-durham-3 6. Mateo Bar de Tapas - Best tapas in the Triangle. https://www.yelp.com/biz/mateo-durham 7. Pizzeria Toro - Excellent Neapolitan-style pizza. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-toro-durham 8. Namu - Terrific gimbap and other Korean food/snacks in a neat indoor-outdoor beer garden environment. They serve coffee too. https://www.yelp.com/biz/namu-durham 9. Eastcut Sandwich Bar - Amazing sandwiches. https://www.yelp.com/biz/eastcut-sandwich-bar-durham-durham 10. Viceroy - Fantastic, higher-end Indian restaurant. https://www.yelp.com/biz/viceroy-durham Honorable mentions: * Asian Kitchen - "Authentic" hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and other Chinese dishes like ong choy (water spinach). https://www.yelp.com/biz/asian-kitchen-durham * Emmy Squared Pizza - Incredible Detroit-style deep-dish pizza. https://www.yelp.com/biz/emmy-squared-pizza-durham-durham-4 * M Kokko - Best Korean fried chicken we tried in the Triangle. https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-kokko-durham * M Pocha - All-around great food, "inspired traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and Spanish influences." https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-pocha-durham-2 * Makus Empanadas - Superb empanadas. https://www.yelp.com/biz/makus-empanadas-durham * The Original Q Shack - I think this was the best barbecue we had in Durham. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-original-q-shack-durham * The Parlour - Our favorite ice cream shop in Durham. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-parlour-durham-2 * Saltbox Seafood Joint - Tasty fried seafood and chowder. https://www.yelp.com/biz/saltbox-seafood-joint-durham-3 * Sister Liu's Kitchen - Yummy, small Chinese dumpling and sandwich takeout joint. https://www.yelp.com/biz/sister-lius-kitchen-durham-2 * Szechuan Mansion Hotpot - Absolutely delicious Chinese hot pot. Make a reservation. https://www.yelp.com/biz/szechuan-mansion-hotpot-durham

This is for Stacy who works in Durham department of water services. She was an absolute gem. She…read morewas kind, sharp, helpful, peppy, all of the amazing things you want when you're calling a customer service rep. She got us easily setup in a timely manner. Absolute best person I've spoken to when calling a government service.

Ayr Mount is in Hillsborough, NC. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places. The…read moreproperty grounds are open daily and house tours are available on certain days and times, just follow the signs to the parking area and either to the Poet's Walk (one mile trail) or the House. Ayr Mount was built in 1815 and made of brick (you can see fingerprints in some of the bricks from the workers). He named it for his birthplace in Ayr, Scotland. William Kirkland was a merchant and built his house along the Native American Trading Path. Kirkland had fourteen children and the property stayed in the family for four generations. If I remember correctly he had 57 grandchildren. Richard Jenrette bought the house in 1985 then donated it to the Classical American Home Preservation Trust and we can view the property. The house features tall ceilings; and intricate details; a lot of the furniture are family pieces. I highly recommend touring this house if in the Hillsborough Area.

Very pleasant 1 mile walk in nature with benches near the river and a pond. The historic house was…read moreclosed but the grounds were beautiful and well maintained. I didn't notice a public restroom. Parking lot available and free.

This specific visit was for a Creative Mornings event. Local artist, Eliza Redmann, told her story…read moreand it was inspiring! After the talk we were able to walk around the galleries! It's just a beautiful space overall! They have a paid parking lot dedicated for the building.

I love the Nasha. I've never really wanted to eat there, but I love all of their art exhibits…read moreindoor and out. This is a perfect place to take kids to know how to keep their hands to themselves... They like to have events keep your eyes peeled for them. Those are fun too!

Hidden historical gem with fascinating history. Girls' school that taught science, math etc during…read morecivil war time. Quite progressive! Also place that Mary Todd Lincoln's close friend and dress maker lived. A great find in our visit to Chapel Hill NC!

This historic site is very unique, because it's history is so well documented. The student's…read moreletters are full of details that make you understand their time there. My wife and I will definitely go back when there is a presentation. The staff was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting.

This marker stands in front of the beautifully maintained 20th century schoolhouse. There is…read moreparking adjacent. The marker reads, "Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Russell School is the last remaining Rosenwald School in Durham County. The school served as a refuge for Black children to have a formalized education from 1926 to 1945. It is owned by Cain's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church." While the building is secured, you can still walk the grounds. It is not a State of North Carolina marker. [Review 2165 of 2024 - 3822 in North Carolina - 23184 overall]