North Carolina Historic Sites

Somerset Place is a representative state historic site offering a comprehensive and realistic view of 19th-century life on a large North Carolina plantation. Originally, this unusual plantation included more than 100,000 densely wooded, mainly swampy acres bordering the five-by-eight mile Lake Phelps, in present-day Washington County. During its 80 years as an active plantation (1785-1865), hundreds of acres were converted into high yielding fields of rice, corn, oats, wheat, beans, peas, and flax; sophisticated sawmills turned out thousands of feet of lumber. By 1865, Somerset Place was one of the upper South's largest plantations. Continued

The Site

• The Site Today
• The Lake Company and the Origins of Somerset
• Plat Map
• Grounds Map
• Excavations
• Artifacts
• Somerset Homecoming
• Hands-On Educational Program
• Other Websites

History

Slavery

• The Slave Community at Somerset
• Somerset Names

Civil War

• Union Troops Visit Somerset, 1862
• Emancipation Proclamation

People

• 1785-1819
• 1828-1839
• 1840-1843
• 1850-1860
• 1860-1865

Features

Historic:

• Lake Chapel
• Enslaved Community Kitchen Complex
• The Colony House
• Dairy
• Salting House
• Smokehouse
• Kitchen Rations
• Kitchen / Laundry
• Josiah Collins III Family Home

Reconstructed:

• Overseer's House
• Plantation Hospital
• Sucky Davis' Home
• Lewis and Judy's Home

Grounds:

• Formal Garden
• Transportation Canal

Resources

• Educational Materials

Upcoming Events

• July 13: Corn Daze
  Saturday 10 am - 3 pm
  Experience fun, food, arts, and crafts at this free 2nd Saturday event. Corn was a major staple and cash crop at Somerset Place when it was an active plantation. Join us and participate in guided tours of the site and in various corn activities. Make corn crafts, compete in competitions, sample corn products, or engage in corn processing food demonstrations. Enjoy a comedy stage performance. Artists/Vendors will sell artwork/food items. Admission is free, and open to the public.

Somerset Place Information

• Map & Directions
• Somerset Historic Site Map (PDF)
• Eastern Regional Map
• Local Weather
• Facilities
• Special Events

Contact Us

Somerset Place
2572 Lake Shore Road
Creswell, N.C. 27928
Phone: (252) 797-4560
Fax: (252) 797-4171
Email: somerset@ncdcr.gov

Hours of Operation

Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Call ahead for hours of operation for state and federal holidays.

Admission Fee

Admission is free. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

Tours

Allow 90 minutes for orientation and a guided tour of the buildings and grounds. Wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing. See Educational Program link for student group tours. Note: The Collins Family Home is currently closed to tours due to construction.