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    Duke Homestead

    124 Reviews
    #14 of 80 things to do in Durham
    Historic Sites, Sights & Landmarks
    2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705-2726
    +1 919-477-5498
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    Review Highlights
    “Museum and Tour”

    It is amazing all the information about the tobacco industry of our country since the late 1800... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    LocaLucy
    ,
    Denver, Colorado
    via mobile
    “A pleasant surprise”

    I admit I avoided visiting this state historic site because I did not want to support the tobacco... read more

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    RahRahPR
    ,
    Durham, North Carolina
    Read all 124 reviews
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    At Duke Homestead, visitors can tour the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. Duke's sons later founded The American Tobacco Company, the largest tobacco company in the world. The Dukes became one of the wealthiest families in the country at the turn of the 20th century and now lend their name to Duke University, Duke Energy, and the Duke Endowment.Duke Homestead offers an orientation film twice an hour, an extensive tobacco museum, and guided tours of the surviving historical structures on the grounds. Among these structures are early Bright Leaf tobacco barns, Washington Duke's first and third factories, and his 1852 homestead.The museum contains exhibits regarding tobacco farming, manufacturing, and marketing. Annual events include an Herb, Garden, and Craft Festival in June; Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina festival in July; a summer children's festival in August; the Tobacco Harvest Festival and Mock Tobacco Auction in September; and Christmas by Candlelight programs in December.

    About Duke Homestead

    At Duke Homestead, visitors can tour the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. Duke's sons later founded The American Tobacco Company, the largest tobacco company in the world. The Dukes became one of the wealthiest families in the country at the turn of the 20th century and now lend their name to Duke University, Duke Energy, and the Duke Endowment.Duke Homestead offers an orientation film twice an hour, an extensive tobacco museum, and guided tours of the surviving historical structures on the grounds. Among these structures are early Bright Leaf tobacco barns, Washington Duke's first and third factories, and his 1852 homestead.The museum contains exhibits regarding tobacco farming, manufacturing, and marketing. Annual events include an Herb, Garden, and Craft Festival in June; Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina festival in July; a summer children's festival in August; the Tobacco Harvest Festival and Mock Tobacco Auction in September; and Christmas by Candlelight programs in December.
    4.0
    124 reviews
    • Excellent40%
    • Very good43%
    • Average16%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible0%
    Travellers talk about
    “tobacco industry” (26 reviews)
    “tobacco museum” (12 reviews)
    “guided tour” (16 reviews)
    Closed Now
    All hours
    Hours Today: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    LOCATION
    2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705-2726
    CONTACT
    Website
    +1 919-477-5498
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    Reviews (124)
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    1 - 10 of 122 reviews

    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Museum and Tour

    It is amazing all the information about the tobacco industry of our country since the late 1800. It is a must when in Durham. It is free and the people that work there are so friendly and helpful. It takes you back in time and...More

    Thank LocaLucy
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    A pleasant surprise

    I admit I avoided visiting this state historic site because I did not want to support the tobacco industry, but the only folks benefiting from a visit to the Duke Homestead nowadays are people like me who appreciate history and are curious enough to want...More

    Thank RahRahPR
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    A Must-Visit Site for North Carolina History

    My boys, ages 6 and 9, and I had a wonderful time here. We all learned so much about the history of tobacco manufacturing in North Carolina and the processes associated with its cultivation and preparation for market. It's a must-visit to understand North Carolina's...More

    1  Thank Sarah D
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Great Historic Site

    My parents were visiting, so my husband and I were looking for places to visit, and a friend suggested the Duke Homestead. What a great suggestion! We went on a Friday around 1:00 pm. We brought our lunch and ate at the picnic area and...More

    2  Thank Su A
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Very interesting

    When you visit the Duke homestead you will learn a lot about the growing and processing of tobacco but, mostly, you will be so impressed reading about the Duke family and it's origins. It is amazing to see the homestead and read about this tenant...More

    Thank Junebug1953
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Worth the detour and it's free

    A great way to learn more about the Duke family and their contribution to this region. Make sure you take the guided tour too. The tobacco museum is very well done. You can easily spend 2 hours there learning about the business, history etc....

    Thank thefrenchguy2015
    A TripAdvisor Member
    2
    Reviewed 17 August 2017 via mobile
    Durham visit

    Very interesting history of Washington Duke and tobacco industry since 1860's. Bill the tour guide was very good at presenting the history, highly recommend a trip. The actual house that the Duke family lived in and some of the work places and tools used at...More

    Thank A TripAdvisor Member
    Reviewed 7 August 2017 via mobile
    Very Worthwhile

    First it's free. If you don't know about North Carolina & tobacco you will really enjoy & learn lot. I am from N.C but would recommend

    Thank Fredboy1946
    Reviewed 24 July 2017
    Nicely restored historical farm

    You can learn A lot about the evolution of the American tobacco industry, anti trust issues and Duke university by reading the exhibit info. Try to go when they are demonstrating a tobacco auction or tying tobacco.

    Thank gatortunor
    Reviewed 23 July 2017
    Great history lesson

    Not a big tobacco fan, but he history of the Duke Family and the business they founded was very interesting. The guide was knowledgeable and very patient (since there was a screaming baby on the tour.) Museum is great, all the old cigarette machines and...More

    2  Thank 19Dee67
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    Questions & Answers
    Peggy C
    25 August 2015|
    AnswerShow all 3 answers
    Response from mljardaw | Reviewed this property |
    Free - but you can make a donation if you want.
    0
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