Duplin County: History, Museums, and Nature Experiences
Accommodation in Duplin County
Duplin County combines impressive stories, regional museums, historic homes, and nature experiences with a distinctive culinary side. About an hour's drive from one of North Carolina's Atlantic beaches, Duplin County is also suitable for a trip that brings together different interests.
Discover Historic Places and Museums
One particularly historic place is Liberty Hall. The property was restored and furnished and opened as a museum in 1968. Liberty Hall includes twelve outbuildings, most of whose restoration and furnishing were financed by the Kenan family. Tours lead through the 19th-century house, across the grounds, and through the restored outbuildings. The history of Liberty Hall also includes the marriage of Mary Lily Kenan and Henry Flagler on August 24, 1901.
The Cowan Museum of History and Science is housed in the Kelly-Farrior House, dating from around 1848. It collects, preserves, and interprets objects related to regional history, the people of the region, and the natural sciences. Adjacent is a historic park with six buildings, including a log cabin, a general store, and a tobacco barn. The museum's exhibitions, programs, tours, and events are free to the public.
The Faison Museum, housed together with the Faison Library in the historic Faison Depot Train Station, offers further insights into local history. A guide is available for a driving or walking tour of the historic homes in the Faison Historic District. Historic districts in Wallace, Warsaw, Kenansville, and Faison are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Several museums are also dedicated to Duplin County's cultural heritage and Civil War heritage.
Nature, Trails, and Regional Experiences
The Joann Cowan Brown Botanical Garden showcases nearly 90 plant species native to North Carolina. The plants are adapted to the soils, climate, and topography of the coastal plain. Anyone who would like to include time outdoors during a trip through Duplin County can canoe or kayak on the county's streams or hike on a nature trail.
Wallace hosts the Carolina Strawberry Festival every year, offering a wide range of music and events. The festival returned to Wallace in 2011 after a 50-year absence. An unusual attraction is the “World’s Largest Frying Pan”: It weighs 2 tons, has a diameter of 15 feet, holds 200 gallons of cooking oil, and can cook 365 chickens at the same time. Such special details give regional travel planning a distinctive touch.
Wine, History, and Regional Cuisine
Duplin Winery offers a 30-minute tour covering the history of native American grapes and the production of its wines. The deluxe wine tasting includes ten white, red, and rosé wines as well as cheese dip and homemade crackers. The Country Squire is also among the culinary destinations mentioned: A working winery is located in the restaurant's 18th-century section. A tartan tasting room and a gift shop are also mentioned for The Country Squire Winery.
For the specific accommodation, check its location relative to the destinations you would like to visit.
For additional guidance, you can also open the entries for Rose Hill and Wallace.
For the overarching travel overview: North Carolina.
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