Hear stories of how freed people built Durham, the wealth and influence of the Cameron family, and how sharecropping shaped the lives of African American families post-Emancipation. All of this will be revealed during in-person tours at Historic Stagville in Durham, Feb. 20.
“Over 900 people were enslaved by the Cameron family in what is now part of Durham, Orange and Granville counties,” observes Site Manager Vera Cecelski. “The people and profits from these massive plantations shape the history of our communities to this day.”
The tours will share historical connections between enslaved people at Stagville and the early history of Durham and will offer a glimpse into how the legacies of slavery shaped the city.
The 75-minute tours at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. will include walking and driving. Some walking may be on wet or uneven ground. Each tour is limited to 12 participants. The fee is $5. Registration is required online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stagville-and-the-roots-of-durham-tickets-138974005993. The event will go on rain or shine, but in case of severe weather and cancelation, staff will contact all participants.
Visitors will be required to follow the “Three Ws” from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Service — wear a cloth mask over the nose and mouth, wait at least six feet away from others, and wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness please postpone your visit.
Historic Stagville preserves the remnants of one of North Carolina’s largest plantations where over 900 people were enslaved in 1860. Stagville is dedicated to interpreting the lives, families, culture, and work of the enslaved people on the Bennehan and Cameron plantations. Today Historic Stagville includes 165 acres, four original slave dwellings, a massive barn, and a Bennehan Family house.