Information
Landmark: Poplar Grove PlantationCity: Wilmington
Country: USA North Carolina
Continent: North America
Poplar Grove Plantation, Wilmington, USA North Carolina, North America
Overview
From what I can see, Just north of Wilmington in the Scotts Hill community, Poplar Grove Plantation stands as a carefully preserved antebellum estate, now welcoming visitors as a historic museum and vibrant cultural site, with oak-lined paths leading to its weathered front porch, in addition it pulls you deep into the agricultural, architectural, and social history of the coastal South in the 18th and 19th centuries, pausing to show the grand rooms of the Foy family’s plantation house and the harsh, everyday labor of the enslaved people who kept the estate thriving.🏛️ Historical Background Establishment : The plantation was established in 1795 after James Foy purchased land from Francis Clayton.🏛️ Historical Background: James Foy bought the land from Francis Clayton in 1795, and soon after, the plantation took root amid the quiet stretch of fields, as a result the Foy family held onto it for six generations, right up until the late 20th century, when its historic brass latch finally changed hands.Main House: Around 1850, Joseph Mumford Foy built the plantation’s main house in the Greek Revival style, with tall white columns catching the afternoon sun, then with its 12 rooms, the building was built to awe visitors, yet it doubled as the plantation’s nerve center, where maps and ledgers once covered the heavy oak desk.safeAt Poplar Grove, enslaved men and women worked in both skilled and rough tasks-shaping iron at the forge, building with fresh-cut pine, tending livestock, stirring pots over open fires-and they also raised peanuts in the fields.After the Civil War, many freed men and women stayed on at Poplar Grove, working the same fields as tenant farmers, their hands still smelling faintly of freshly turned earth.🌿 Grounds and Structures The plantation complex covers several acres and includes: The Main Plantation House : A restored structure filled with period furnishings, family heirlooms, and interpretive exhibits, meanwhile just down the road, a location called Foy Town grew into a home for several African American families, who cooked, farmed, and earned their living there well into the 20th century.🌿 Grounds and Structures
The plantation sprawls across several acres, anchored by the Main Plantation House-a lovingly restored building filled with gleaming period furniture, treasured family heirlooms, and exhibits that bring its history to life, in some ways Original outbuildings include a blacksmith shop, where you can watch sparks fly as craftsmen demonstrate traditional ironworking techniques, moreover the Tenant House shows how tenant farmers and freedmen lived after emancipation, from cramped wooden rooms to the worn quilts on their beds.The kitchen house stands apart from the main home, its brick walls and woodsmoke telling the story of the domestic work once done by enslaved women.🧠 Museum Exhibits and Interpretation Slavery and Gullah-Geechee Culture : Displays explore the lives, crafts, music, and heritage of enslaved Africans and their descendants, who significantly influenced local culture, simultaneously safeGardens and Agricultural Displays: The grounds feature herb and vegetable plots laid out just as they would have been in the 1800s, with tidy rows and rich, earthy soil.🧠 Museum exhibits bring to life the stories, crafts, songs, and rich heritage of enslaved Africans and their Gullah-Geechee descendants, whose influence still shapes the rhythm and flavor of the region.🎟️ Admission and Tours Poplar Grove offers different types of tours: Guided Tour (Includes main house and outbuildings) Adults: $15 Seniors/Military: $12 Students (11–17): $10 Youth (5–10): $8 Self-Guided Tour Adults: $12 Seniors/Military: $10 Students (11–17): $8 Youth (5–10): $6 Grounds Only (No building access) Adults: $10 Students (11–17): $6 Youth (5–10): $4 Children under 5: Free Seasonal passes and group discounts are available.At Poplar Grove, rows of peanut plants stretch under the sun while exhibits walk you through how they’re grown, harvested, and processed-and how this humble crop once fueled the local economy.📆 Events and Activities Poplar Grove hosts a variety of public and private events: Herb & Garden Fair : Held annually in spring, featuring local plants, crafts, and workshops, in addition family Life and Gender Roles: Step into rooms that reveal how the Foy men, women, and children lived day to day, welcomed guests with polished silver on the table, and kept the plantation running, for the most part Interactive programs include school visits packed with hands-on learning, heritage tours that bring vintage stories to life, and seasonal exhibits that change with the colors of the year.🎟️ At Poplar Grove, you can choose from several tour options: a guided tour through the main house and outbuildings-$15 for adults, $12 for seniors or military, $10 for students ages 11–17, and $8 for kids 5–10; a self-guided walk at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors or military, $8 for students, and $6 for youth; or grounds-only access, with no building entry, at $10 for adults, $6 for students, and $4 for youth, while little ones under 5 wander free, as well as seasonal passes and group rates make coming back even easier.🧭 Visitor Information Location : 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28429 Parking : Free on-site parking available Accessibility : Most buildings and grounds are accessible; assistance available for those with mobility issues Amenities : Restrooms, picnic areas, event pavilion, and a gift shop with local crafts and souvenirs 🧾 Summary Poplar Grove Plantation is more than a preserved Southern estate-it is a historical and educational landmark offering insight into plantation life, the realities of slavery and emancipation, and the agricultural traditions that shaped southeastern North Carolina.We’re open Monday to Saturday, from March until the crisp days of October.
