A few weeks ago, I visited Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell. It was one of North Carolina’s largest antebellum plantations, comprising over 100,000 acres of mostly swamp land. The main house and several other structures are original buildings (renovated, of course). In addition, there are several reconstructed buildings in the slave area of the plantation. Admission is free. Tours of the grounds and house cost $1 or $2, depending on your age.
Guided tours are available on request. There’s about a 15-minute wait for a tour to start. The tour takes around an hour and provides an in-depth history of the plantation and its slaves. Highly recommended.
Somerset Place is adjacent to Pettigrew State Park on Lake Phelps. The park offers lake access, hiking, picnicking, and camping. Brigadier General James Pettigrew’s family owned a plantation next to Somerset Place, and the Pettigrew family cemetery is located within the park.
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