Stagville State Historic Site, 5828 Old Oxford Highway in Durham, North Carolina, contains the remnants of one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War South. The plantation belonged to the Bennehan-Cameron family, whose combined holdings totaled approximately 900 enslaved people and almost 30,000 acres of land by 1860.
Stagville offers a view of the past, especially that of its African American community, by allowing visitors to guide themselves around its extensive grounds. It is free to visit Stagville State Historic Site. There are also many free and inexpensive events throughout the year.
It’s open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours are offered. Call ahead to find out the times. They’re $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and children.
You might find this address to be better than the Durham one: 5925 Jock Road, Bahama, NC.
Self-guided tours are free, but do not include access to the buildings. You’ll need a car to get to all parts of the site, as it’s very large.
For questions about accessibility or accomodations, please email info@stagville.org.
Upcoming Events
Frederick Douglass Community Reading
Saturday, July 4, 2026
10 a.m.
Free
Commemorate Independence Day with a reading of Frederick Douglass’ powerful Fourth of July address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” at Historic Stagville State Historic Site.
This is a participatory community reading. Every year, 60 volunteers sign up to read passages from this famous abolitionist speech in front of the historic slave quarters at Horton Grove. You may sign up as a reader when you arrive.
This year’s reading will mark a special date for reflection and remembrance: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Douglass delivered this powerful speech about freedom and injustice on July 5, 1852, at an Independence Day celebration in Rochester, New York. Douglass’ speech remains one of the most famous abolitionist texts in United States history. The speech resonates today, inviting all to reflect on the United States’ founding ideals and our shared history of slavery and freedom.
A PDF of the speech text will be available via Historic Stagville’s website. We suggest you print or download your own copy to bring to follow along! Some copies will be available in person at the event.
Bring a chair or blanket to sit on the grounds. The event will be outdoors at the historic slave quarters at Horton Grove at 5925 Jock Road, Bahama, NC 27503. Attendees must walk less than one hundred yards over uneven grass or gravel to reach the reading site. Porta-potties will be available on site.
This free event lasts about 1 hour, with the option to view inside the original slave quarters or Great Barn at Horton Grove afterwards.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
More Black History Month Events
Check out a list of Black History Month events and sites in the Triangle, or see a few of them here. More are being added all the time.
Leave a Reply