Liberty Hall was restored, furnished, and opened as a museum in 1968. It includes twelve outbuildings, most of whose restoration and furnishing were funded by the Kenan family. Tours cover the 19th-century house, the grounds, and the restored outbuildings. Liberty Hall’s history also includes the marriage of Mary Lily Kenan and Henry Flagler on August 24, 1901. Here, you can explore both a historic home and the buildings and stories that add context to its past.
Museums, Homes, and a Garden
At the Cowan Museum of History and Science, regional history sits alongside the natural sciences: the museum collects, preserves, and interprets objects related to the history of the region and its people, as well as topics in the natural sciences. It is housed in the Kelly-Farrior House, dating to around 1848. An adjoining historic park includes six buildings, among them a log cabin, a general store, and a tobacco barn. The museum’s exhibits, programs, tours, and events are free to the public.
The Joann Cowan Brown Botanical Garden offers a different perspective, with nearly 90 plant species native to North Carolina. They are adapted to the soils, climate, and topography of the coastal plain. This brings different questions together in one subject area: What do buildings and collections tell us about people and history, and how do the conditions of the coastal plain shape its native plant life? If you’re interested in natural history, you’ll find a tangible connection to the landscape and its plants here, rather than simply a collection of names.
Smaller museums also give individual subjects room to shine. The Wallace Depot features a model railroad that visitors can view. The L.P. Best House and Duplin County Veterans Museum is housed in a restored 1894 Queen Anne-style home and displays military artifacts and memorabilia honoring the men and women who served in Duplin County. A rare 1926 Dodge/Graham Brothers fire engine is a standout exhibit at the Thomas C. Townsend Firemen’s Museum. Together, these museums offer different ways to explore Duplin County’s cultural heritage and Civil War heritage, without reducing their individual focuses to a single collection.
Historic Sites and Events
In Faison, the Faison Museum and Faison Library share the historic Faison Depot Train Station. A guide is available for a driving or walking tour of the historic homes in the Faison Historic District. The historic districts of Wallace, Warsaw, Kenansville, and Faison are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re interested in architecture and local history, you can explore individual homes, a depot, and several listed historic districts as distinct points of interest. A Plantation Homes Tour is also offered in the county.
Wallace also has a festival history: the Carolina Strawberry Festival returned to the town in 2011 after a 50-year absence. It takes place every year and features a wide selection of music and events. Since the program varies annually, check the specific event dates before making plans. The festival is a distinct part of a visit, whether you’re mainly interested in museums, architecture, or events.
Outdoor Activities and a Winery Tour
For outdoor activities, visitors can canoe or kayak on Duplin County’s creeks and hike a nature trail. The county information mentions different ways to enjoy the outdoors, but specifies neither a particular difficulty level nor a set route. Duplin County is also about an hour’s drive from one of North Carolina’s Atlantic beaches. Driving time depends on the beach you choose and conditions; this estimate gives you a rough idea of how the coast fits into a regional travel itinerary.
At Duplin Winery, the deluxe wine tasting includes ten white, red, and rosé wines, as well as cheese dip and homemade crackers. Offer details may change, so it’s a good idea to check them before visiting. A 30-minute tour focuses on the history of native American grapes and how the wines are made. Check current operating details before you travel. The tasting and tour offer two different focuses: the tasting selection, and the history of the grapes and winemaking.
Discover more destinations: Rose Hill, Wallace, Robeson County, Union County, Forsyth, Dare, Surry County, Currituck County.
For the main travel overview: North Carolina.
