In its heyday Somerset Place was a self-sustained plantation equal to many small towns. Home to hundreds of enslaved workers, efforts from across the community were required to ensure effective operations. To commemorate Women’s History Month, a special tour highlighting the roles of the women at Somerset will be offered March 6-10, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. The fee is $3.
The tour will focus on a free black woman, several enslaved women, two white employees and members of the Collins family, the owners of Somerset Place. The 60-minute tour will review how women contributed to the development, maintenance and infrastructure of the plantation. Labor in the various plantation homes, hospital, fields, laundry and other structures will be examined.
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, the plantation included more than 100,000 densely wooded acres. Over the life of the plantation, more than 50 white employees and more than 850 enslaved workers lived at Somerset.
Tickets may be purchased at the site beginning March 1, or can be purchased immediately before the tour.
For additional information please call (252) 797-4560 or email somerset@ncdcr.gov. Somerset Place is located at 2572 Lake Shore Road, Creswell. It is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.