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Somerset Place was one of the largest plantations in the upper south. It was active for 80 years, between 1785 and 1865. The plantation is in downtown Creswell, North Carolina. It is approximately one and a half miles past Pettigrew State Park. The state historic site offers a realistic view of life in the 19th century. It depicts how people in plantations lived, both as slaves and owners.
Somerset Place is a tangible reminder of a period in US history. It reminds us of when one group used its political and economic power to keep another group in bondage. It shows a time when this subjugation defined Southern civilization. A time that shaped attitudes and perceptions that exist today. The area is a great destination for those who want to learn about the 19th century,
In 1785, three North Carolina residents bought 100,000 acres of land in Creswell. They were Josiah Collins I, Nathaniel Allen and Dr. Samuel Dickinson. The land they bought was a swampy and overgrown piece next to Lake Phelps. Their goal was to build a fully-operational and high producing farming plantation. Five years later, Collins's partners abandoned and left him to build their vision on his own.
Collins spent the next 20 years making the site into a worthwhile plantation. He created productive farm lands, and built homes, barns and work buildings. The history of the farm involves the use of slaves to help build the home and outbuildings. The slaves remained at the farm after Collins died in 1819. He left the farm to his son, Josiah Jr. According to the 1850 U.S Census, there were 300 slaves on Somerset Place.
The Somerset Plantation’s business went very well. They were producing and distributing high yielding crops. Some of their crops were corn, rice, oats, wheat, beans, flax and peas. There was a state-of-the-art saw mill at the plantation. The mills were to take advantage of the growing lumbering industry in the area. The mill would turn out thousands of feet of lumber.
The plantation was active for 80 years. It created great wealth for the Collins family. In 1862, Union forces arrived on the plantation without warning. They rushed some of the slaves to the neighboring Hurry Scurry plantation. The Collins family knew for sure that their end was near. When Josiah Collins III died in 1863, slavery in the south was coming to an end. The plantation came to ruins during the Civil War. Some of the slaves stayed on the plantation until 1870. They hoped to reunite with their family members. Most of the families separated during the Union visits. Eventually, they left to look for better lives that did not include forced labor.
By the mid-19th century, there were more than 50 buildings around Lake Phelps. They included barns, stables, saw mills, a hospital, a chapel and a kitchen complex. There were also 26 houses where the slaves lived.
Today, the state historic site has 31 acres with seven original buildings. The Department of Cultural Resources reconstructed the Overseer’s House. They also reconstructed one room and four-room homes that were used by slaves. The plantation hospital was also reconstructed.
The plantation offers many options for its visitors. Some of the things you will find in the area are:
1. Historic Structures
2. Visitor Center
3. Trails, Monuments and Outdoor Exhibits
4. Handicapped Accessibility
5. Picnic Facilities
6. Gift shop
A single complete tour of the plantation takes about 90 minutes. The tours can start at any time before 3.30 p.m. A 10-minute orientation takes place in the Visitor Center. The tour involves a walk around buildings. Most of these have been reconstructed to look like they did in the 1830s. The buildings include slave quarters and the original owner buildings.
Visitors are advised to wear suitable clothing and shoes for walking.
Visitors can take part in involving responsibilities that the slaves used to have. These include:
· Making gourd bowls
The gourd was grown and dried for daily use. They were turned into dippers, musical instruments, bowls and storage containers.
· Rope making
Rope was used in securing animals, making rope beds, drawing water from wells and tying bales. Visitors learn how to use portable ropewalks and make a length of rope that they keep.
· Hearth cooking
Families of slaves would prepare their food over the open hearth. Using the hearth requires heavy cast iron cookware and hot coal. Visitors can grind corn to make cornbread over the open hearth.
· Candle dipping
Slaves would use oil lamps and candles as a source of light in the night. They would make their own candles with a length of string and wax. This is what visitors can take part in.
· Broom sedge brooms
Gathering broom sedge was a task for children. Sedge was stored to be used in making brooms all through the year. Visitors can make one sedge broom to keep.
· Cotton ginning
Visitors will see cotton in three forms: inside bolls with seeds, woven into fabric and as thread.
· Basket making
Baskets were used as portable containers. They would collect, carry and store items. Visitors can make a small basket to keep.
Individual and group reservations at the plantation can be reserved on the website. There is a provision to fill in a form to request a specific date. A staff member makes contact with you after your request. They will give you details on individual and group reservations. A calendar is available on the site showing convenient dates.
Somerset Place offers a great venue for intimate gatherings. You can have a memorable event with a formal garden, historic buildings, and the beauty of Lake Phelps. Working phone numbers are available on the website. You can call to schedule an appointment. It is best to visit the site first before sending payment.
The fees can change depending on the season. It must also be paid in full to be reserved.
Then you don't want to miss out on our complete list of historic sites and other attractions here: The Historic Albemarle Trail.
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
