charlotte nc plantation tours

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to access savingplaces.org.

National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page

Site navigation, america's 11 most endangered historic places.

This annual list raises awareness about the threats facing some of the nation's greatest treasures.

Join The National Trust

Your support is critical to ensuring our success in protecting America's places that matter for future generations.

Take Action Today

Tell lawmakers and decision makers that our nation's historic places matter.

Save Places

• PastForward National Preservation Conference
• Preservation Leadership Forum
• Grant Programs
• National Preservation Awards
• National Trust Historic Sites

Explore this remarkable collection of historic sites online.

Places Near You

Discover historic places across the nation and close to home.

Preservation Magazine & More

Read stories of people saving places, as featured in our award-winning magazine and on our website.

Explore Places

Distinctive Destinations

• Historic Hotels of America
• National Trust Tours
• Preservation Magazine

Saving America’s Historic Sites

Discover how these unique places connect Americans to their past—and to each other.

Telling the Full American Story

Explore the diverse pasts that weave our multicultural nation together.

Building Stronger Communities

Learn how historic preservation can unlock your community's potential.

Investing in Preservation’s Future

Take a look at all the ways we're growing the field to save places.

About Saving Places

• About the National Trust
• African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund
• Where Women Made History
• National Fund for Sacred Places
• Main Street America
• Historic Tax Credits

Support the National Trust Today

Make a vibrant future possible for our nation's most important places.

Leave A Legacy

Protect the past by remembering the National Trust in your will or estate plan.

Support Preservation As You Shop, Travel, and Play

Discover the easy ways you can incorporate preservation into your everyday life—and support a terrific cause as you go.

Support Us Today

• Gift Memberships
• Planned Giving
• Leadership Giving
• Monthly Giving

photo by: Historic Rosedale Plantation

Historic Rosedale Plantation

• Address 3427 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
• Hours Tuesday–Friday 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturday–Sunday 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Phone 704-335-0325

Visit Historic Rosedale Plantation

Historic Rosedale was completed in 1815 by a local merchant and tax collector. Although he had some rough times and lost the home, Rosedale stayed in the extended family until the final residents moved out in 1986. From 1986-1993, the home underwent a massive restoration in order to bring the home back to its original state, which is what you'll see today when you stop by for a tour. The home is fully decorated in period furnishings on the first floor, and the second floor includes museum-style displays of the home's history.

Hours listed above are for the grounds at historic Rosedale. House tours are available Thursday–Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Benefits for National Trust Members

$2 Off Admission

Join the National Trust to enjoy a host of membership benefits.

Related Stories

Explore More Places

• Outreach Performances & Programs
• Fundraising
• Field trip lesson plans
• Field Trips Grants
• Service Learning
• Hot Springs
• Little Rock
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Statewide / Region
• Daytona Beach
• Fort Lauderdale
• Gainesville
• Jacksonville
• Orlando-Metro
• Palm Beach Metro
• Space Coast
• Tallahassee
• St. Augustine
• St Petersburg-Clearwater
• Atlanta-Metro
• Chicago-Metro
• Springfield
• Central Region
• East Region
• Indianapolis
• North Region
• South Central Region
• South Region
• West Region
• Bowling Green
• Baton Rouge
• New Orleans
• Baltimore-Metro
• The Berkshires
• Boston-Metro
• Cape Cod/Plymouth
• Greater Lowell
• Greater Springfield
• Capital-River Region
• Delta Region
• Gulf Coast Region
• Hills Region
• Pines Region
• Jefferson City
• Kansas City
• Springfield-MO
• Delaware River Region
• Gateway Region NJ
• Greater Atlantic City
• Shore Region
• Skylands Region
• Southern Shore Region
• Capital District Region
• Central New York Region
• Finger Lakes Region
• Hudson Valley Region
• Long Island
• Mohawk Valley Region
• New York City
• North Country Region
• Southern Tier Region
• Western New York Region
• Canton Ohio
• Cincinnati Ohio
• Cleveland Ohio
• Columbus Ohio
• Oklahoma City
• Allegheny Mts. & Valleys
• Gettysburg/York
• Harrisburg-Metro
• Lakes & Erie Regions
• Lancaster-Metro
• Lehigh Valley
• Philadelphia Metro
• Pittsburgh & Laurel Highlands
• The Poconos
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
• Chattanooga
• East Tennessee
• Middle Tennessee
• The Smokies
• West Tennessee
• Bryan - College Station
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Panhandle Plains Region
• San Antonio
• Central Virginia
• Chesapeake Bay Region
• Coastal Virginia -Eastern Shore
• Coastal Virginia-Hampton Roads
• Northern Virginia
• Shenandoah Valley
• Southern Virginia
• Southwest Virginia-Blue Ridge Highlands
• Southwest Virginia-Heart of the Appalachia
• Virginia Mountains
• Martinsburg
• Madison Wisconsin

Historic Rosedale Plantation

Explore 200 years of history at Historic Rosedale Plantation with exciting programs and special tours for students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers. Also known as Frew’s Folly, the Federal-style plantation was built by merchant and tax collector Archibald Frew in 1815, and is situated on a little over 8.5 acres of land. A gem of the Carolinas, the site features a blacksmith shop, historic gardens, and more. On field trips to the plantation, groups will experience life during the 1840s, “heroic” medicine, learn from a 19th century tutor, and take part in daily activities. Tours are free, while fees are charged for educational programming.

contact info

Hrs: Thu.-Sun. 1-4PM.

HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)

Prepared by fieldtripdirectory.com.

Historic Site Lesson Plan

Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed; Boston’s Old State House, where the Boston Massacre and the American Revolution began; Washington D.C.’s National Mall, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech; Virginia’s Jamestown settlement, the country’s first colony; Charleston’s Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired; New York’s Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were introduced to their new home. All of these sites, significant to America’s history, can be visited, toured, and admired. While visiting one of the many historical sites around the country, consider the importance in preserving these sites.

Latta Plantation Nature Center & Preserve

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Latta Plantation Nature Center & Preserve - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (3.75 mi) Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Northlake
• (5.29 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Huntersville
• (9.58 mi) The Ivey's Hotel
• (9.59 mi) Woodspring Suites Charlotte University Research Park
• (9.52 mi) Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection
• (9.53 mi) Mico Restaurant
• (1.57 mi) Lancaster's BBQ
• (7.75 mi) 131 MAIN Restaurant
• (8.98 mi) Pinky's Westside Grill
• (6.61 mi) Midwood Smokehouse

Carol M. Highsmith Archive/Library of Congress

Historic Latta Plantation

This 19th-century cotton plantation occupies a small corner of a scenic nature preserve, a dozen miles north of Uptown Charlotte. Exhibits in the visitor center tell the story of the Latta family and their 32 slaves, while guided tours lead through their small clapboard home. You’re then free to wander around neighboring structures such as the imposing carriage barn.

Drive another 200yd after you leave to reach the shoreline of Mountain Island Lake, a pretty spot for a picnic.

5225 Sample Rd. Huntersville

Get In Touch

704-875-1391

https://www.lattaplantation.org

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Sullenberger Aviation Museum

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honoring Captain Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III, is located at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Levine Museum of the New South

10.08 MILES

Tracing the story of the ‘New South’ that emerged from the ashes of the Civil War, this committed museum explores the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow…

Mint Museum Randolph

12.61 MILES

The US Mint opened its first-ever outpost in Uptown Charlotte in 1837, using gold mined from the mountains nearby. Transported 3 miles southeast a century…

NASCAR Hall of Fame

10.36 MILES

The race-car simulator ($5) at this rip-roaring Uptown museum hurtles you onto the track and into a 15-car race that feels surprisingly real. Elsewhere,…

Mint Museum Uptown

10.06 MILES

A stunning modernist edifice tucked between mighty skyscrapers, the Uptown portion of Charlotte’s Mint Museum consists of two distinct halves. One makes a…

Discovery Place Science

Illustrating simple scientific principles with eye-catching displays, Discovery Place is targeted largely at kids. It centers on a steamy rainforest that…

Kings Mountain National Military Park

29.63 MILES

As Major Patrick Ferguson learned on the summit of Kings Mountain, threatening American patriots isn't a good idea. In the fall of 1780, General Lord…

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

An Uptown landmark, thanks to sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle’s huge mirror-tiled Firebird out front, this showcase for 20th-century art was donated to the…

Nearby Charlotte attractions

1 . Carolina Raptor Center

A pleasant woodland stroll within the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve leads past aviaries holding predatory birds that have suffered injuries – you may…

2 . Sullenberger Aviation Museum

3 . Romare Bearden Park

This small park celebrates the African American artist and writer Romare Bearden, born in Charlotte in 1911. A pretty spot to admire the Uptown skyline or…

4 . Discovery Place Science

5 . Mint Museum Uptown

6 . Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

7 . Levine Museum of the New South

8 . Harvey B Gantt Center

This thriving Uptown art museum was named in honor of former city mayor and civil rights champion Harvey Gannt. Its three small galleries host changing…

• Travel Trade
• Multicultural CLT
• Beyond Domestic
• Site Search
• Group Itineraries

Things to Do

• Eat & Drink

• Places to Stay
• Planning Resources
• International Travel
• Attractions & Entertainment
• Tours & Experiences
• Unique Charlotte Experiences

Historic Latta Plantation

• (704) 875-2312

Huntersville

Visit Website

Google Reviews

Write a Review

visit lakenorman

The house tour was very interesting; the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the plantation. Getting to walk through the parlor and bed chambers of the house and explore the grounds was a great experience! It made me feel what life was like in the 1800s. Something unique and fun was seeing the plantation animals. There were sheep just grazing on grass right next to you. There were turkeys, chickens, pigs, a cow, a horse and mule near the barn and fields. Highly recommend visiting for some local history!

Brady Hatcher

Great park! Love to take the dogs and walk here. Great place to launch kayaks and canoes. 52 acres so plenty of trails to discover. Highly recommend taking a walk/hike here. Paths lead through the woods, so first in the morning may get some spider webs, but not really a big deal.

Suzanne Strength

This 52 acre park has some truly beautiful scenery and lots of great history! The house on the grounds is preserved from the 1800's to give you a feel for how it would have been to live during that time. Also on the grounds is an Equestrian Center and Raptor Center. The Raptor Center is really amazing, featuring many birds of prey who were wounded and are receiving care. When I was there, there was a bald eagle who was sitting on her eggs waiting for her babies to hatched! The Plantation also offers other events throughout the year. I've seen Fairy Gardens, Ghost tours and re-enactments at varying times. A great place for anyone. The preserve has many trails for hiking of varying degrees of difficulty, but most are wooded, so it is cool. There is also a picnic area right by the beach and sheltered area near the parking lot. This place is a favorite for everyone and worth a visit.

Mandy Wyatt

Latta is about 45 min from us but well worth the drive. Everything about it is remarkable. Our most favorite thing is they have a ramp to drop kayaks in. We love to travel to waters and the ramp makes it that much easier to get in and out. We've done photos here. Picnics. Etc. Its truly s lovely park. Enjoyed by our entire family. Us. Kids and dogs.

Love hiking at Latta! There are lots of walking trails with nice views of the lake. You can arrange to go on kayak or SUP tours. You can also rent canoes or visit the plantation or raptor center for an extra fee. There are lots of picnic tables and a few shelters. The only drawback is that people tend to litter despite there being trashcans available even at trailheads and viewpoints.

3427 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 – 704-335-0325

• Gullah Geechee Corridor
• Public Research
• Foy Family Household
• Basketry Classes
• Blacksmithing Classes
• Letterpress Art Classes
• Photography
• Abbey Nature Preserve

Tour Schedule and Pricing

• Paranormal Ghost Tours
• School Field Trips
• Facility Rental
• Fees, Rules & Regulations
• Market By-Laws
• Arts/Crafts Guidelines
• Mission & Purpose
• Meet the Farm Animals
• Get Involved
• Latest News & FAQs
• Herb & Garden Fair
• October Paranormal Tours
• GooseBumps in the Grove
• All Is Bright – A Holiday of Lights
• Trees, Trees, Trees
• 2023 Memberships
• Corporate Sponsorship
• Local Sponsorship

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

In light of the increasing development surrounding Poplar Grove, we are utilizing this time to solidify ourselves as an integral and vital part of the community.

Poplar Grove is temporarily closed. 

We are taking this opportunity to design a blueprint that expands upon our mission and further develops the daily tour program, school field trips, heritage arts spaces, permanent exhibits, gift shop, farmers’ market and stables.

In 2024, we will be relocating the main entrance, admissions, and gift shop; restructuring the tour program, school program and farmers’ market; adding information boars, new pathways, and parking.

We hope to create a green and open space in which visitors can interact with history, culture, and the arts, and provide a greater opportunity for the public to come together as a community.

We invite you to be part of the process! We will be updating the public on these exciting new developments via our social media platforms throughout the spring.

Consider visiting  Moores Creek Battlefield  – Pender County’s Revolutionary War site, if you have not yet had a chance to do so. North Carolina is  First In   Freedom  for a reason. We look forward to celebrating this Nation’s 250th Anniversary in 2026!

Thank you for supporting conservation, education, and preservation.

MUSEUM ADMISSION PRICES

GUIDED TOURS

$15 Adults (18+)

$12 Senior & Military

$10 Students (11-17)

$8 Youth (5-10)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

$12 Adult (18+)

$10 Senior & Military

$8 Student (11-17)

$6 Youth (5-10)

GROUNDS ONLY

$10 All Adults (18+)

$6 Students (11-17)

$4 Youth (5-10)

SCHOOL GROUPS

http://poplargrove.org/dailytours/school-programs/

SPECIAL TOURS with Executive Director

Tour last 1.5+ hours. Limited days & time. Not appropriate for children under 15 years of age.

$20 All Adults (18+)

$15 Students (15-17/18)

*Fees do not include sales tax

Please arrive at the gift shop in the lower level of the manor house at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled tour time, or for other ticket options. You are welcome to arrive in advance of your scheduled tour time to view the exhibits, artist studios and stables prior to your tour, especially for those guests who are scheduled on the last tour of the day, which is at 2 p.m. during the summer months.

The manor house and outbuildings are under the auspices of Poplar Grove Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit. All funds generated through Manor House tours, school programs, Farmers’ Market vendor fees, rental facilities, and festivals provide the revenue to maintain and preserve the historic Manor House, outbuildings, exhibits, artist studios, pastures and stables.

NOTE: Poplar Grove schedules many activities throughout the year, including school programs, community events and festivals as well as a weekly farmers’ market. Such activities will impact a visitor’s experience, so please check our Calendar of Events to arrange your visit around our major festivals, or choose to join us in the fun!

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and week of Thanksgiving in preparation for Christmas Celebration.

SEASONAL CLOSING

Daily tours cease during the months of October, November, December, January and February. 

*Except for School Programs & privately scheduled tours in February for Black History Month.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Advance notice required for groups of 10 or more
• School-sanctioned field trips (public, private, pre-school & home-schooled) are required to register and schedule tours using the School Program link
• Picnic area on site
• Abbey Nature Preserve entrance is located on Scotts Hill Loop Road, and not accessible through the museum site

Prices subject to change.

November 3, 2020 October 13, 2020 | Travel

Guide to North Carolina Plantations

Many people have found that old plantation homes in NC make beautiful locations for weddings and other events. Here are a few that are open to guests.

The Carolinas are full of historical plantations including North Carolina. Although North Carolina plantations are associated with important landmarks in history, some of these family homes have been renovated and are popular spots for weddings and social activities. Brides and grooms love having their pictures under large hanging oak trees and taking carriage rides to the receptions at a southern mansion. Here are some of the North Carolina plantations that are open to the public for special events.

• Magnolia Manor Plantation Bed & Breakfast in Warrenton, North Carolina

Chinqua Penn Plantation in Reidsville, North Carolina

Poplar grove plantation in wilmington, north carolina, abilena plantation in new bern, north carolina.

This antebellum mansion and farm have been around since the late 1800s and is a popular bed and breakfast and wedding location. The inn was renovated and opened for guests in 2003. People who stay the night or book a wedding have access to the inn’s catering service, Carriage House, gazebo, and other options. The Magnolia Manor farmland and grounds are perfect for outdoor weddings and garden receptions.

The Penn family built this beautiful plantation in the early 1900s and turned it into a plantation taking up nearly 1,000 acres. Today the restored southern home, gardens, and courtyard are open for wedding and events such as wine sampling and tours. Many visitors also go to the Chinqua Penn plantation for the Spring Tulip Festival.

Right off the coast in Wilmington , the Foy family established this peanut plantation in 1795 and the house around 1850. The Penn family kept the land for many years and it is now managed by the Poplar Grove Foundation. Visitors to the home can see various stages from the past including basket making, weaving, and blacksmithing. The home is open for weddings, meetings, and other activities. Tours are available which feature hayrides, exhibits, and visits with the animals at the plantation. Guests can even walk through the sixty-seven-acre nature trail.

This renovated 1927 southern mansion has been the backdrop for many weddings and is now owned by a local wedding photographer. Abilena Plantation is situated on the scenic Neuse River right on the water and is open for meetings, receptions, and weddings. Individuals who book the New Bern historical home for events have access to the riverfront patio, outdoor pool, and other outdoor facilities.

Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum, Forest City

Best places to have a north carolina wedding, 1 thought on “guide to north carolina plantations”.

Are there any plantations to tour near Charlotte, NC?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

TREASURE TREE TOURS

Tour 1: dilworth - 3 trees.

This route through Latta Park and part of Dilworth takes you to 2 of the original Treasure Trees and 1 new Treasure Tree. In addition, you will be able to see a few potential Treasure Tree candidates as you walk through Latta Park. Plan on taking 45-60 minutes to complete this route.

DISTANCE: 2 miles

TYPE OF TOUR: Walking/hiking or biking

PRIVACY NOTE: For Treasure Trees on private property, please respect the privacy of homeowners. Please do not walk into a homeowner's yard! Enjoy the trees from the street on a bike, or from the sidewalk on foot.

DIRECTIONS:

• Begin by parking in the small lot behind St. Patrick's Cathedral off Dilworth Road East near the intersection of Romany Road. Walk northwest across Dilworth Road East and Dilworth Road West until you reach the paved path that enters into the middle of Latta Park. Shortly after you meet the path, it splits right and left. Stay left. In about 500 feet, you will see a dirt path leave the paved path to the right. Standing in this spot, look up the trail a few more feet to view a huge twin-trunk Yellow Poplar (not a Treasure Tree, but a marvelous tree).
• Continue right on the dirt path and cross the bridge over the creek. Follow the right side of the creek about 175 feet until you reach the massive American Sycamore (#135) ; this is a newer Treasure Tree added to the program in 2022.
• Continue following the dirt path beside the creek until you connect back up with one of the paved paths in the park over by the children's playground. Pick any path that continues around the left side of the basketball court and make your way up to the sidewalk along East Park Avenue. Continue northwest on East Park Avenue, walking along the sidewalk on the left side of the street. Just after crossing Euclid Avenue, look to the right side of the house on that corner to view the European Sweet Chestnut (#028) . This tree still has its original Treasure Tree tag. Please respect private property here!
• Continue walking northwest on East Park Avenue on the left side sidewalk. Walk one block until you cross Cleveland Avenue. Walk a few feet more up the sidewalk in front of the business on this corner and look straight to the right of the house to see the massive Gingko (056) .
• Go back to Cleveland Avenue and walk southwest one block until you reach East Kingston Avenue. Turn left here and enjoy your walk on the street after it crosses Euclid Avenue and continues about another half mile before it ends at Park Road. Turn left here, then turn right onto East Park Avenue after one block. East Park Avenue merges into Dilworth Road West. Cross back over Dilworth Road East here, and you will be back to the parking lot.

TOUR 2: University/Harris Blvd./Nevin - 1 stump, 6 trees

This route takes you across north Charlotte from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte area over to I-77. You will be able to see the stump remains of an original Treasure Tree in addition to 6 other living trees. Plan on taking 2-3 hours to complete this route.  

DISTANCE:   17 miles driving plus 2-3 miles walking/hiking  

TYPE of TOUR:  Driving, walking/hiking  

PRIVACY NOTE:    For Treasure Trees on private property, please respect the privacy of homeowners. Please do not walk into a homeowner's yard! Enjoy the trees from the street on a bike, or from the sidewalk on foot.   

DIRECTIONS: 

• Begin your drive by using 3431 Charterhall Lane Charlotte, NC 28215 as your GPS destination. Park streetside and walk into the small community park surrounding one large tree and one tree stump. The stump is what remains of the former state champion Osage Orange (#050) , which was destroyed by fire in 2007. The remaining tree is a sibling of the original Osage Orange, and it is a candidate for a future Treasure Tree designation.    
• Continue your drive by looking for Lot 12 on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus, 3.6 miles from the Osage Orange. This small parking lot is near the intersection of Mary Alexander Road and Cameron Boulevard. Here you will be able to see the Chinkapin Oak (#034) , which stands precariously on the slope of a creek bank beside the parking lot. This Oak has a twin trunk and is unusually large for its species in this area. Please practice safe viewing from the parking lot and do not attempt to enter the ravine! If you have additional time, we highly recommend visiting the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens just south of Lot 12.    
• Continue on from UNCC 2 miles to the University City Hospital, located at the corner of East W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street. Park in the drugstore lot at 8538 North Tryon Street and use the pedestrian crosswalk to walk about 500 feet northeast alongside North Tryon Street until you reach the grassy area above the ER parking lot. The American Elm (#074) may be found in the middle of this grassy area.  
• Continue your drive northwest along West W.T. Harris Boulevard 4.3 miles until you reach the University City United Methodist Church. Park in the back lot just off Brookstone Drive. Here you will find the magnificent Black Walnut (#022) standing watch over the back courtyard of the church. This tree was spared during construction of the church campus, and still displays the original Treasure Tree tag. Please respect church property, and be aware of any church events that may be taking place!  
• Continue from here 3.9 miles south on West Sugar Creek Road and Nevin Road until you reach the small parking lot for Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve. All trails begin with the straight Hoyt Hinson Trail, which leads to the ponds. After about a quarter mile, pass between the ponds and continue straight through the corridor of large pine trees. Just before you reach the massive White Oak in the clearing, look to the right in the edge of the woods to see the big Post Oak (#110) . 
• After viewing the Post Oak and the White Oak, continue north on the Hoyt Hinson Trail until it reaches the Beech Walk Trail. Turn right onto this trail, and you will soon walk into the American Beech Grove (088) . Along the trail, you will find an interpretive marker identifying the large grove of mature Beech trees. Continue along the Beech Walk Trail until it runs back into the Hoyt Hinson Trail, and then return back to the parking lot the way you came in. 
• From the Ribbonwalk parking lot, turn left back onto Nevin Road and continue 3.8 miles via Statesville Road and Old Statesville Road to the Denny's at 4541 Sunset Road. The restaurant is just across I-77 on the right side of the road. Park on the left side of the building, and you can't miss the giant Bur Oak (#032) that sits between the parking lot and Banner Elk Drive. This is one of the largest of all remaining original Treasure Trees in Mecklenburg County.  

TOUR 3: Myers Park (8 trees)/Freedom Park (3 trees)

These 2 routes through Myers Park and Freedom Park take you to 11  Treasure Trees total (8 trees for the Myers Park route and 3 trees for the Freedom Park route). Please be aware that visiting Wing Haven Gardens includes an admission fee . Plan on taking 1-2 hours for the Myers Park route and about 30 minutes for Freedom Park.  

DISTANCE, Myers Park: 4 miles

DISTANCE, Freedom Park: 1 mile

TYPE OF TOUR:  Walking/hiking or biking  

PRIVACY NOTE:    For Treasure Trees on private property, please respect the privacy of homeowners. Please do not walk into a homeowner's yard! Enjoy the trees from the street on a bike, or from the sidewalk on foot.   

DIRECTIONS, Myers Park:

• Begin at Wing Haven Gardens to view 2 Treasure Trees-- Chaste Tree (#024) and Yellow Poplar (#139).  The Chaste Tree (#024) is a former national champion and is a part of the original 123 Treasure Trees. It stands on the southwest corner of the main garden immediately behind the Clarkson home. The Yellow Poplar (#139) is a newer Treasure Tree added in 2022 and is located in the northwest area of the gardens. The giant Yellow Poplar has a unique hallow center that you can climb into!
• Head east on Ridgewood Ave toward Croydon Rd.  You may be able to see the top of a Treasure Tree from the year 2000, Pecan (#112) located in a private backyard. 
• Turn left when you reach Selwyn Rd, turn right on Queens Road West, make another right on Chilton Place, and a left on Bucknell.   The state champion Japanese Zelcova (#064) sits on the front right corner of the house at 2735 Bucknell Avenue.    
• Continue North on Bucknell and make a right on Queens Road East. Make another right on Briarcliff Place. The state champion Deodar Cedar (#035) sits on the intersection of Westminster Place and Briarcliff Place.
• Turn around and continue back up Briarcliff to make a right on Queens Road East.  Stay headed north on Queens Road East until you come upon the front of Queens University Harris Welcome Center.  There, you will find  Gingko (#054) . If you look very closely on the front right side of the tree, you can see the original Treasure Tree tag that has been swallowed up by the growth of the tree.
• Just around the corner on Randcliff Ave and Queen Rd, you will see   Crimean Linden (#036) on the left side of Radcliffe.    
• Head southeast on Radcliffe Ave toward Selwyn Ave and turn right onto Selwyn Ave.  Take a slight right onto Westfield Rd and continue for about 0.7 miles.  Take a right on Ridgewood and y ou will reach the Elizabeth Lawrence House at 348 Ridgewood Avenue. Enter the gardens behind the house and walk out the main path around the pool. Standing in front of the Madonna & Child Plaque, turn right and view the Japanese Stewartia (#069) near the path on the right corner. Enjoy the rest of the Elizabeth Lawrence gardens!   

DIRECTIONS, Freedom Park:

• Begin at the Lilac Rd parking lot near the Freedom Park Demonstration Garden.
• Walk down the path towards the lake and turn left of loop around the north side of the lake.  Walk just past the bridge to get onto the island and you will spot Green Ash (#138) on your left. This ash is currently being treated for Emerald Ash Borer.
• Continue south along the lake and exit Freedom Park onto Princeton Ave. Take a right on Princeton Ave and another right on Idlewood Circle.  The fourth house on your left is home to Water Oak (#137), a newer Treasure Tree added in 2022. Look up and notice the cabling holding this old tree together. 
• Two homes down you will see the stately Deodar Cedar (#071), the one original Treasure Tree on route.
• Keep walking up Idlewood and turn right onto Lilac Rd.  The parking lot will be on your right. 

TOUR 4: Edgehill Park - 3 trees

This route along Edgehill Park and Stevens Park takes you to 3 of the original Treasure Trees. Plan on taking 30-45 minutes to complete this route.  

DISTANCE:  1 mile  

TYPE of TOUR:  Walking/hiking or biking  

DIRECTIONS:   

• Begin at St. Mark's Lutheran Church off Queens Road. Start on Edgehill Road South and follow it east along the south side of Edgehill Neighborhood Park. At the end of Edgehill, you will see the main entrance to the Duke Mansion on the right side of the street. Just a few feet up the entrance road, you will immediately see the large Yellow Poplar (096) . Although it is not a state champion, this is one of the largest and oldest Yellow Poplar trees in the state.   2. Continue just a few more feet up the entrance road, and you should see the Eastern Red Cedar (097) . This tree still has the original Treasure Tree tags on it! The Duke Mansion property was originally home to 3 other Treasure Trees, but those have since deceased. 3. Leave the entrance to Duke Mansion and turn right onto Hermitage Road. Stay on Hermitage after it passes the intersection with Ardsley Road. From the intersection, travel about 450 feet south on Hermitage. Look to the left in Stevens Park a few feet from the street to see the rare Bigleaf Magnolia (043) . The trunk of the tree is quite small, only about 3' in circumference. This tree species boasts the largest simple leaf and single flower of any native plant in North America. The leaves are 12" to 36" long.     4. Continue south on Hermitage until you reach Granville Road and turn right. Follow Granville to the intersection of Queens Road. A Willow Oak (030)  used to stand on this corner which was one of the original and largest of all Treasure Trees. Turn right onto Queens Road and continue back to St. Mark's Lutheran Church to finish this route.  

TOUR 5: Rosedale Plantation - 5 trees

This route through the gardens of Historic Rosedale takes you to 5 of the original Treasure Trees. Plan on taking about an hour for the historic house tour, and then 30-45 minutes to see all of the trees. You may want to plan for additional time to enjoy all of the gardens.  

DISTANCE:    

TYPE OF TOUR:  Walking  

DIRECTIONS:  

Historic Rosedale is located at 3427 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28206. Note: There's an admission fee to the house and grounds. Check HistoricRosedale.org for details. 

• After completing a guided tour of the historic house, walk out to the back right corner and view the Green Ash (#004) , which sits in the middle of a landscaped area between the house and the parking area. While this original Treasure Tree was originally identified as a Green Ash, it was later determined to be a White Ash. The tree still has its original Treasure Tree tag on it.    
• From the Ash, walk north across the parking area toward the right side of the welcome center building. Behind the wooden fence you can't miss the giant Swamp Chestnut Oak (#006) . This tree also has an interpretive sign in front of it, in addition to the original Treasure Tree tag.    
• If you walk out behind the Swamp Chestnut Oak, you will be able to look out toward the back wooded area of the property to see the remains of the Osage Orange (#005) . You will see multiple trunks emerging from one area where the original grove was planted back in 1857. The original trees caught fire in the 1960s when one of the barns burned down. This burned the original trees, but then new trunks grew out of the same spot.    
• Leave the area around the Osage Orange and walk back down the entrance drive south. Just before you reach the entrance gate, turn left and walk across the grass lawn. Walk toward the white fence, and you will see the Chinese Parasol Tree (#001) . This tree with its unusual smooth grey bark has an interpretive sign and the original Treasure Tree tag in place. This tree was originally planted from seed in 1950.    
• Walk straight west from here across the entrance drive and toward the main gardens on the left side of the house. Look for an open path that continues west around the front edge of the gardens and continue on it for about 80 feet until it makes a right turn. Stay on this gravel path until it makes another right turn in 80 more feet. The Oriental Arborvitae (#044) stands as the anchor for this southern part of the main gardens. It is believed this tree dates back to the early 1800s, when the original owner of the house lived here.  

From here, enjoy the rest of the Rosedale gardens. Return back to the parking area by heading east around the back side of the house. 

Tour North Carolina’s Historic Homes

Visit National Register of Historic Places sites including America’s largest home, North Carolina’s first permanent capitol and other inspiring homes.

North Carolina has a host of homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can visit America’s largest home, an English-style estate, the mansion where our governor lives, a plantation that was active for 80 years, the “palace” that served as the state’s first permanent capitol and other inspiring homes.

1 Tryon Palace

Completed in 1770 for Royal Governor William Tryon and his family, Tryon Palace served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina. Described as the grandest public building in all of the colonies, it became a controversial issue when “back country” residents listed its cost as one of the grievances in the 1764 rebellion of the “Regulators." You can join Tryon Palace’s long history of distinguished visitors – such as President George Washington – as you walk around a number of historical buildings and 14 acres of period gardens, watch living history programs, and enjoy craft and domestic skill demonstrations. You can also take time to see other historic buildings and visit the North Carolina History Center on the Trent River.

2 Executive Mansion

Praised by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for having the most beautiful interior of any governor’s residence in America, North Carolina’s Executive Mansion is also known for being built by people who were serving time in prison. Colonel William J. Hicks, warden of the state penitentiary at the time, supervised the eight-year construction project using prison labor and native products such as clay, sandstone and timber. Prisoners’ names can still be found etched in the brick and sandstone.

3 Blandwood Mansion

Completed in 1795, Blandwood Mansion was home to Governor John Motley Morehead. In the mid-1840s, architect Alexander Jackson Davis' addition to the home transformed it into an Italianate-style beauty that’s considered the oldest standing example of Tuscan Villa architecture in the country. Blandwood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1988, and today you can tour the mansion and gardens year-round with a trained docent.

4 Reynolda House

Tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds and his wife, Katharine, envisioned their agriculturally advanced Reynolds Farm as a self-sufficient community that served as a teaching facility for local farmers. It became a 1,067-acre estate encompassing a grand house with a four-story main section and residential pipe organ, villages, churches, formal gardens, a post office, smoke house, power plant, greenhouse, dairy and golf course. Today, officially named Reynolda House Museum of American Art , it is a showplace for portraits and landscapes (past artists include Georgia O’Keeffe and Stuart Davis), as well as fashion and decorative arts.

5 Smith-McDowell House Museum

Known as Asheville’s first mansion, The Smith-McDowell House was built by wealthy businessman James McConnell Smith in 1840 and later landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers. It also served as home to mayors, a Civil War major and friends of the Vanderbilts'. In addition to touring the three-level English-style mansion and its gardens, you can see exhibits and take part in a variety of educational programs throughout the year.

The six-year construction of Biltmore , home of 19th-century industrialist George Washington Vanderbilt, was completed in 1895. Its gardens were created by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York’s Central Park. Today you can explore Vanderbilt’s opulent 250-room French Renaissance chateau, ornately decorated with priceless antiques, conversation pieces such as Napoleon’s chess set, and artworks by Renoir and other masters, as well as its manicured gardens. Visiting this “Largest Home in America” can include seeing The Biltmore Legacy exhibition, going to the Outdoor Adventure Center, or enjoying activities and entertainment at Antler Hill Village & Winery.

7 Allison-Deaver House

The Allison-Deaver House , known as the oldest standing frame house in western North Carolina, was never altered with modern conveniences like electric wiring, indoor plumbing, heating, insulation or closets. Now it’s a house-restoration museum open to summertime visitors, with working fireplaces and original paneling, surviving early paint finishes, hardware, intact original molding and trim, and a barn collection of early farm tools.

Ends: 6/15/2024

2024 Outdoor NC Pledge Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes, 10 unforgettable places of history and culture, 10 places to explore african american history, battlefields to battleship: a military history trip.