Museums

One of the largest antebellumplantation houses in North Carolina, recently restored Buckner HillHouse (1855) still surrounded by hundreds of acres of  cotton, corn,tobacco and cattle,  provides a  rare view of original, mostly undisturbed Greek Revival plantation architecture.

Built by highly skilled African-American labor for the Hill familyon the site of their previous plantation house (c.1700s), Buckner HillHouse also has Italianate features and an unusual cruciform floor planwith wide halls on both floors crossing in the center of the house. Awealthy physician and landowner, Dr. Buckner Lanier Hill, began theproject in the 1850s. The house has undergone very few modifications inits 150-year history.

Original marbleizing, mahogany and rosewood graining, and all of theornate plaster cornices in the house survive. The frame structure isconstructed of centuries-old heart pine from the virgin forests of theNew World. Much of the wood for the 1855 house was recycled for usefrom the previous dwelling, built in the 1700s. The house appears inNorth Carolina Architecture, which notes when the wide double doors onall four sides of the house are thrown open, the broad passages thatmeet at the center of the dwelling become a vast interior porch. Thisarea was also used by the family as a ballroom. In June, 2001, filmingof a major motion picture concluded at the house for the DivineSecrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (released in 2002). Appointments arerequired.

910.293.3001.
522 Taylor Town Road
Faison, NC 28341
www.carolinaplantation.com

Cowan Museum
Heres a hands-on learning and entertainingexperience for all ages. The Cowan Museum is located in the fullyrestored Kelly-Farrior House (circa 1848). Youll find over 2,000artifacts that reflect the heritage of rural North Carolina. There arefarming implements, household items from the 18th and 19th centuries, aunique one-room log schoolhouse, a log tobacco barn, log cabin andblacksmith shop on the grounds. Take the kids back in time beforeDVDs and give them a perspective that only history can bring.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Sundays & Mondays and major holidays
910.296.2149
www.cowanmuseum.com

Faison Museum
Housed inside the library, this uniquemuseum holds the secrets of Faisons historyits people, churches,businesses, schools, family histories and civic clubs comprise thecontents of the museum. Black and white photographs of Faison lifetaken by noted photographer Karson Boone adorn the walls. Many of thesubjects are from his memories of visiting Faison as a child. The townis currently renovating a three bay building, donated by WilliamThornton, as future home of the library.

106 Park Circle
Faison, NC
910.267.0601  

Grove Presbyterian Church
The original Presbyteriansettlement was established in 1736, making it the oldest continuousPresbyterian congregation in North Carolina. The current churchstructure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

611 Main Street
Kenansville, NC

The Historic L.P. Best House / Duplin County Veterans Museum
Thisrestored 1894 Queen Anne style house is the home of Duplins onlyVeterans museum. The second floor is dedicated to recognizing DuplinCounty servicemen and women through the display of military artifactsand memorabilia from years past. It is located in Warsaw, which is thehome of the oldest, continuous Veterans Day Celebration in the nation.The community has honored veterans since Armistice Day in 1918.

Hours: Thursdays & Fridays 1:00-4:00, also available by appointment.

910.293.2190

Liberty Hall Restoration
Take a walk into history atLiberty Hall Plantation. Tour the 19th century main house and 12outbuildings of the Kenan familys ancestral home.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays & Mondays and major holidays
910.296.2175

National Register Historic Districts
Downtown districts ofWallace, Warsaw, Kenansville, Faison and some surrounding residentialareas are designated historic districts.  Contact us or the town ofinterest for more information.

Tarkil Branch Farms Homestead Museum
This restored 1830shomestead is a fine example of early farm life typical of most familiesin rural NC in the 19th century. The home, with period furnishings andthe nine outbuildings, all bring back the sights, sounds, and genuinefeel of a disappearing lifestyle. See the 1925 country store,smokehouse, tobacco barn, and old farm equipment on the working farm.Wagon tours and a hiking trail are available. 
www.tarkilfarmsmuseum.com

Thomas C. Townsend Firemens Museum
The collectionsshowpiece is a classic and rare 1926 Dodge/Graham Brothers Fire Truck. The fire truck is restored to its fire-engine red and polished brassshine, authentic in every detail and can be viewed in its glassenclosure anytime.

Wallace Town Hall
316 Murray Street
Wallace, NC