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

What's New

• Looking for a memorable venue for your wedding or event? Select locations at Somerset Place are available for that special occasion. Contact Karen Hayes at (252) 797-4560 to discuss your needs.

Upcoming Events

• Through August 23:
  "Freedom for All" Exhibit
  Tuesday - Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
  In commemoration of the 150th anniversary year of the 1863 signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, a traveling exhibit of illustrated informational panels outlines the struggle for freedom by the enslaved people in North Carolina and the nation. "Freedom for All" focuses on the status of North Carolina before the Civil War, events leading up to Lincoln's issuance of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and consequences of the document in the state and nation. The exhibit also examines some of the differences between the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, the final Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. The traveling exhibit is a joint project of the N.C. Museum of History and the N.C. Freedom Monument Project. Admission is free, and open to the public. For more information, call (252) 797-4560, or email somerset@ncdcr.gov.

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.