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. Mac: Safari.
All 25 Durham Attractions »

Duke Homestead

2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, NC 27705
919 477 5498
Ranked #12 of 20 attractions in Durham
4.0 of 5 stars 19 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites
Activities: Group tours/walking tour
Owner description: At Duke Homestead, visitors can tour the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. Duke's sons later...... more » Owner description: 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. « less
Update attraction details
Write a Review

19 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    6
    10
    2
    1
    0
Date Rating
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

Just learned a lot about this site on the tour and the historic buildings are very interesting. Worth an afternoon visit for sure More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Apex, North Carolina
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2012

My husband and I visited with my ILs years ago before we had children. There is so much to learn about the Duke family and tobacco farming. I am not sure what there is that might appeal to young children, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by ctnewbie for Durham
North Carolina
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2012

This is a free attraction. The museum's budget apparently has impacted the upkeep of it. It is worth spending severa lhours at. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Durham, North Carolina, United States
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Good place to go if you live here, but wasn't on the list of places to take people with only a weekend. The house Mr. Duke lived in was neat, and the tobacco making process was interesting. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
chatham
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2012

Very interesting museum. I was disappointed because they were short staffed the day we visited so we weren't able to go though the buildings More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by jermoore for Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 17, 2012

Small exhibit. Great film. Shows how the Duke family made their fortune. Informative. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 12 more reviews by lolojackso for Durham
Greenville, NC
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2012

It was very interesting and informative. Learned a few new things about tobacco through the years in NC, even though I am a native. The staff was very helpful. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Top Contributor
236 reviews 236 reviews
Reviews in 126 cities Reviews in 126 cities
145 helpful votes 145 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 22, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

As a new resident of NC, I wanted to visit this historic landmark and learn more about the amazing Duke family. And amazing they were! The Duke's have a wonderful legacy of good that they have shared with all American's in one way or another. While it is true that today we understand the health issues involved with smoking, this... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by bseashore for Durham
Raleigh,NC
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 20, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

If you want to know anything about tobacco, this is the place. Beautiful settings on the Duke Farm and a museum to walk you through the tobacco process. Check for events as it is great for kids. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Gerrards Cross, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 11, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

to see that small wooden buildng as the startng pont of the tobacco industry is mind blowing . The cultural sgnificance of that building cannot be over estimated and it was empty. if you get the chance GO SEE More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by karl b for Durham

Travelers who viewed Duke Homestead also viewed

Sarah P. Duke Gardens
5 of 5 stars 153 Reviews
Durham, NC
Bennett Place Historic Site
4 of 5 stars 17 Reviews
Durham, NC
 
Duke Chapel
5 of 5 stars 58 Reviews
Durham, NC
Museum of Life + Science
4.5 of 5 stars 90 Reviews
Durham, NC
 

Been to Duke Homestead? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Duke Homestead, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing
See all sites
Cruise Critic

The ultimate cruise resource: cruise reviews, deals, news and advice.

SeatGuru

The world's most comprehensive source for airline seats, airline info, & in-flight amenities.

Family Vacation Critic

The best family vacations start here.

Best beach houses of 2012 »