We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Duke Homestead

118 Reviews
#14 of 77 things to do in Durham
Historic Sites, Sights & Landmarks
2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705-2726
+1 919-477-5498
Website
Save
All photos (74)
Full view
Certificate of Excellence
Review Highlights
“Durham visit”

Very interesting history of Washington Duke and tobacco industry since 1860's. Bill the tour guide... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
A TripAdvisor Member
via mobile
“Very Worthwhile ”

First it's free. If you don't know about North Carolina & tobacco you will really enjoy & learn... read more

Reviewed 1 week ago
Fredboy1946
,
High Point, North Carolina
via mobile
Read all 118 reviews
Map
Satellite
Map updates are paused. Zoom in to see updated info.
Reset zoom
Overview
More
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
118 reviews
  • Excellent38%
  • Very good45%
  • Average16%
  • Poor1%
  • Terrible0%
Travellers talk about
“tobacco industry” (23 reviews)
“tobacco museum” (10 reviews)
“guided tour” (14 reviews)
Closes in 17 min
All hours
Hours Today: 09:00 - 17:00
LOCATION
2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705-2726
CONTACT
Website
+1 919-477-5498
Improve This Listing
Write a Review
Reviews (118)
Traveller rating
Traveller type
Time of year
Language

1 - 10 of 116 reviews

A TripAdvisor Member
2
Reviewed 2 days ago 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 1 week ago 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 3 weeks ago
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 3 weeks ago
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
Reviewed 4 weeks ago
No Tours Available When We Were There

We stopped here late one afternoon (perhaps around 4pm) and were told the tours had stopped, although we were free to roam the property on our own, as well as the museum. The Homestead is free, and the grounds are a bit tired, as it...More

Thank IAmEve7
Reviewed 10 July 2017
Very interesting history

The tour was good, be prepared to walk outside on level ground. Very knowledgeable staff giving tour. Get to visit inside of home and see/understand the tobacco process. Museum has some great equipment documenting the progress of cigarette production. Documented the Duke family businesses and...More

Thank Captommy
Reviewed 3 July 2017
Great Place to Visit and Nice Tour

We went here this weekend, and Jimmy our tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. The facility offers a golf cart for people like myself that have a more difficult time walking and maneuvering over roots on the ground. The tobacco museum was interesting, especially...More

Thank KimStephen
Reviewed 23 May 2017
Doris Duke's Homestead

This is the real home of Doris Duke. She was quite visible when she was here. The folks that keep this house up have done a wonderful job and on a cold Winter's day they might offer you some mulled cider. Great place to visit

Thank Betty E
Reviewed 23 May 2017
Loved it!

An amazing place to visit, with so much history given about the family and the area. The docents are great, very informative and friendly!

Thank Victoria L
Reviewed 6 May 2017
Old style museum

We visited this place on May 5th. There is a parking lot in front of the entrance. The visit is free, you can make a donation. There is an introduction film about the history of the Duke family at 15 minutes past and 15 minutes...More

Thank AmarilisVos
Nearby
Nearby Restaurants
Bleu Olive
271 reviews
1.55 km away
Melo Trattoria
233 reviews
1.48 km away
Gocciolina
123 reviews
.81 km away
El Corral Mexican Restaurant
56 reviews
1.56 km away
Nearby Attractions
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
1,664 reviews
4.11 km away
North Carolina Botanical Garden
210 reviews
4.14 km away
Museum of Life + Science
724 reviews
2.09 km away
Ask a question
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
Votes