historic sites & museums
 
ANGIER  
Coats Museum, Bell Tower and House
Coats Estate
3317 Old Fairground Rd.
Angier, NC 27501
919-894-4443
Open: 3rd Sun, 3-5pm and by appt.
The Coats Estate consists of a country home, a museum, and a bell tower. The Coats’ collection of more than 60 bells includes a train bell, fire bells, and church bells. The largest bell in the collection is 44 inches in diameter and weighs 1/2 ton.
BENSON  
Benson Museum of Local History
104 W. Main St.
PO Box 69
Benson, NC 27504
919-894-4261
Open: Wed & Fr. 1-5pm, Thur 9-1pm, Sat 9-3pm
Retrace Benson's roots with a collection of railroad memorabilia, antiques, quilts, farming and hardware artifacts. Hours: Wed & Fri. 1-5pm, Thur. 9-1pm, Sat. 9-3pm.
FOUR OAKS  
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site
5466 Harper House Rd.
Four Oaks, NC 27524
910-594-0789
Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Closed Sunday
The Battle of Bentonville, March 19-21,1865 was the largest Civil War land battle to take place on North Carolina soil. Walk the fields on which 80,000 Union and Confederate solders fought. Tour the nearby Harper House, museum and cemetery.
KENLY  
Boyette Slave and Schoolhouse
NC Hwy 222, Glendale School Rd.
Kenly, NC 27542
919-284-2911
In 1830's this structure was built as a dwelling for the few slaves owned by the Boyette Family. The buildings were made of pine timber from the farm with dovetailed corners, and a chimney of heart of pine sticks daubed with clay base mortar.
Kenly Area Historical Society
105 W. Second St.
PO Box 1211
Kenly, NC 27542
919-284-3591
Open: Tue 3-5, Wed 11-1, Th 9-11, 1st Sat 9:30-11:30
Museum on Kenly's history, its people, buildings and homes. Hours of operation, Tuesday 3-5pm, Thursday, 9-11am and first Saturday of the month, 9:30-11:30am.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum
709 Church St.- US Hwy 301 N.
PO Box 88
Kenly, NC 27542
919-284-3431
Open: Tues-Sat 9:30am-5pm
Museum displays of farm life include, a hands-on Children's exhibit, household goods, musical instruments, clothing and agricultural tools. Also tour a restored farmstead, with main house, detached kitchen, smoke house, tobacco barn and pack house.
SELMA  
Selma Historic Union Station/ NC AMTRAK
500 Railroad St.
Selma, NC 27576
919-965-6971
Open: 10:30am until last train runs, 7 days a week
This restored 1920s train station offers visitors exhibits on train history and the Town of Selma. NC’s Amtrak Selma station offers daily service to 12 NC cities and to the Northeast.
SMITHFIELD  
Ava Gardner Museum
325 E. Market St.
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-5830
Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm
The Ava Gardner Museum is home to an incredible collection of scripts, photos, costumes, and personal belongings of screen legend Ava Gardner. Born on Christmas Eve, 1922, seven miles east of Smithfield, Ava starred in more than 59 motion pictures.
Hastings House c. 1854
200 S. Front St.
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-0887
Built in 1854 for William Hastings, served as pre-battle command office for General Joseph E. Johnston, Commander of the Confederate troops to stop General Sherman at the Battle of Bentonville, March 19-21, 1865.
Johnston County Heritage Center
241 E. Market St.
PO Box 2709
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-2836
The Heritage Center has become known as one of the best equipped facilities in the country for studying local history and genealogy. Numerous artifacts allow scholars and amateur historians to study the history and culture of Johnston County.
Shadow Hawk Wild Bill's Western Town
494 Bonnie Ave.
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-946-7272
Life-sized cowboy town. Featured in movies as wild west sets. Free for visitors, great for birthday parties!
Smithfield High School History Room - A.G. Glenn Building
501 S. Second St.
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-4361
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
The A.G. Glenn Building was built in 1913 and housed Smithfield High School from 1913-1922 and 1926-1969. Renovation was completed in 2008. Visitors will find exhibits of school memorabilia from 1950-1969.
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1535-A Booker Dairy Road | Smithfield, NC 27577 | 1.800.441. STAY (7829)