historic tour raleigh

Historic Tours of Raleigh

Historic Tours of Raleigh provides guides for walking tours and step on guides for buses in Raleigh and beyond. Theme tours include: Civil War in Raleigh, Victorian homes, Colleges & Churches, Love Stories and Scandals, and more. Reservations must be made 72 hours in advance.

• Group friendly
• Tours: Guided

1 E. Edenton St. North Carolina State Capitol, Wilmington St. Side Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 829-4988 [email protected]

Local Information

Greater raleigh convention & visitors bureau.

Ends: 6/15/2024

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(919) 829-4988

Historic Raleigh Tours/Trolley

1 Mimosa St Mordecai Historic Park Raleigh, NC 27604-1203 (919) 996-4364

Description

  nearby parking.

• Person Street Lot 419 North Person Street (0.5 miles S)
• Forest Lot 317 E Jones St (0.7 miles S)
• State Government Visitor Parking Lot #2 333 N Salisbury St (0.7 miles SW)
• NC Museum/Government Center Parking 100 E Jones St (0.8 miles SW)

  Nearby Dining

• Escazū Chocolates 936 N Blount St (603 feet NW)
• Stanbury 938 N Blount St (691 feet W)
• Yellow Dog Bread Company 219 E Franklin St (1008 feet SW)
• Two Roosters Ice Cream 215 E Franklin St (1025 feet SW)

  Nearby Shopping

• Edge of Urge 215 East Franklin St (1016 feet SW)
• Wine Authorities 211 E Franklin St (0.2 miles SW)
• Oak City Cycling Project 707 N Person St (0.2 miles SW)

  Nearby Arts, Culture + Entertainment

• Mordecai Historic Park 1 Mimosa St (adjacent)
• William Peace Theatre 15 E Peace St (0.3 miles SW)
• Gallery C 540 N Blount St (0.4 miles SW)
• Burning Coal Theatre Company 224 Polk St (0.5 miles SW)

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours

News Published 2/21/2024 Updated 2/21/2024

The Historic Raleigh Trolley is back!

Join us on Saturdays from March through December for a narrated, hour-long tour of downtown Raleigh.

Tours depart from Mordecai Historic Park at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Tickets are available up to one month in advance online using RecLink , or in person at the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center. Please call 919-996-4364 for more information.

Dates:  Saturdays, March - December Times:  11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Cost:  $10 for adults, $6 for youth Free for children 6 and under Ages:  All ages Get Tickets on RecLink

Mordecai Historic Park 1 Mimosa St. Raleigh, NC 27604

919-996-4364

Mordecai Historic Park

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Triangle on the Cheap

Live well in the Triangle on a budget. Find fun, free things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours every Saturday March – December

The Historic Raleigh Trolley takes visitor through Downtown Raleigh to see historic sites and landmarks and to learn about the community and culture of Raleigh since its founding in 1792. 

On Saturdays from March to December, the trolley departs from Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street. Tours start at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 7-17) and free for children (ages 6 and under.)

You can find the schedule of Historic Raleigh Trolley, and buy tickets, here.

You can also book tickets by calling 919-996-4364 or visiting the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center.

Features of the Historic Raleigh Trolley

• 26-passenger capacity.
• Adults and children welcomed. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Trolleys are enclosed and heated and cooled for your comfort.
• Large windows provide clear views.
• Trolley drivers hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses for your safety.
• A handicapped accessibility lift is available on some trolleys. If this is needed for your group, please inform the rental personnel when booking.
• Trolley guides provided for historic tours.
• Bottled water is welcome. Please wait until after your trolley ride to enjoy other beverages or foods.

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Step Back in Time on a Historic Mordecai House tour in Raleigh

As we learned on our recent walking tour of Dorothea Dix Park, it’s important to learn from Raleigh’s past so we can create a better future. The Mordecai Historic Park northeast of downtown Raleigh offers that opportunity. 

This former plantation home of Mordecai House used to have uninterrupted views of Raleigh downtown. You could look right back at the house on the hill and know the wealth and power the Mordecai Family held.

But through the years as massive oak and magnolia trees reached their full potential, and taller buildings filled the land, that love gaze was interrupted and, alongside it, the Mordecai’s power and wealth.

In putting together our weekend events in Raleigh blog post, I discovered that the Free Friday Mordecai tours were happening. They only happen twice a year, so we added it to our calendar and made our way down to Mordecai for the first tour at 10am.

Don’t worry if you miss the free tours, they run paid tours for a small fee from Tuesday – Sunday (see bottom of post for more info). Some things are just too good to wait for! 

If you’re ready to embark on a journey through Raleigh’s history, Mordecai House is your ticket to time travel. 

About Mordecai Historic Park

Also known as the Mordecai Plantation or Mordecai Mansion, the Mordecai House was built in 1785 . It is the oldest house in Raleigh on its original foundation and is a registered historical landmark and one of the fantastic museums in Raleigh , North Carolina.

The house is the focal point of the three-acre Mordecai Historic Park . The other historical buildings either that were part of the plantation estate or were moved here from other places in North Carolina. 

As our guide told us at the beginning of our tour, any building that is yellow is part of the original Mordecai Plantation. All colored buildings are transplants bought here for preservation. 

Where is Mordecai Historic Park?

Mordecai Historic Park is located in the Mordecai neighborhood and adjacent to the Historic Oakwood neighborhood.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Raleigh , Mordecai House holds its ground at 1 Mimosa Street . Yep, you read that right – a historic gem right smack in the middle of the city. How cool is that?

The Visitor Center is located on 1101 Wake Forest Road in Mordecai in between Mimosa St and Cedar St. You can find parking along both streets and the visitor center location on Cedar St. 

 The Visitor Center and the first floor of the Mordecai House are wheelchair, scooter, or Electric Conveyance Vehicle (ECV) accessible via ramps. 

Why Take a Tour of Mordecai Historic Park?

Because history is a master storyteller, and the Mordecai House has plenty of tales to share. 

Taking a tour transports you back to a time when Raleigh was finding its footing. You’ll get a firsthand look at the lives of the families who called this house home, and the stories of the enslaved people who played an integral role in its history.

Before taking this tour, we’d walked on the grounds of the historical park many times – we’ve even had friends who married in the small chapel here. But we barely knew anything about the property except it was the former farm of slave owners, and Andrew Johnson’s birth home was located here. 

Thanks to our informative tour guide, Jordan, we learned a lot of interesting facts and stories about the Mordecai home, family, slaves, and the lives of those connected to the other buildings. 

Our small group of about 15 met at the Visitor Center, where Jordan gave us a brief introduction and led us over to our first stop on the tour. 

Andrew Johnson’s Home (17th President)

If you were paying attention in history class, you may know a little about Andrew Johnson , the 17th President of the United States. 

He was born into poverty right here in downtown Raleigh, and at Mordecai Historic Park you can walk right into his birth home. It’s not the original location, the small wooden shack was relocated here from downtown. 

He was born in the upstairs room above what would have been a kitchen, which is where we stood as we learned about his life. You cannot go up the stairs to see his birth room as the original steep stairs do not pass regulations!

Johnson was born into poverty and was apprenticed out with his brother to a tailor by his parents for a 10-year contract that provided only room and board. He ran away at 15 and escaped to Tennessee – despite having a $10 reward on his head! 

It was here that his journey into politics began as mayor of Greenville to the governor of Tennessee, then onto the US senate as it was on the brink of war.

Johnson was a slave owner, and white supremacist . However, he was not pro confederacy and believed in the Union. So, he stayed as a senator in DC serving the Union government during the Civil War . He became somewhat of a celebrity and token senator during the Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln asked him to be his running mate for his second term as President as he knew having a Southerner in office would be favorable to his plans for reconciliation.

I guess he never thought about what may happen if Johnson had to step in as President, which is what happened once Lincoln was assassinated!

Johnson could not bring back slavery, but he could make it difficult to pass laws giving rights to B lack Americans . I wonder how history may have been different if he was never President. 

Those in Lincoln’s office saw the writing on the wall and quickly passed a law where the President could not fire a member of the cabinet without congressional approval. They wanted to protect the work Lincoln had done.

Johnson went ahead and fired someone anyway, which led to his impeachment – the first of any President . He won the right to finish his presidential term by one vote. 

It was an interesting insight into this unpopular President born right here in Raleigh. 

St Mark’s Chapel

Jordan took us into the small white chapel opposite Johnson’s home where we sat on the pews to hear a little of this church built by slaves from Haughton Plantation in Chatham County, about 90 miles southwest of Raleigh.

Above the main seating area was a tiny gallery with a low roof which was standing room only for the 40 slaves on the property.

What was interesting about this episcopalian church was the fact they allowed the slaves to attend church even though most plantation owners banned the practice of religion for enslaved people. They feared it would be an organizing force for slaves to rebel. 

However, in this instance, the Haughton Plantation church selectively chose passages in the bible for propaganda lectures on the goodness of slavery supported by God. This was just another form of control by the slave owners.

Touring the Mordecai House

The Mordecai House is the oldest in Raleigh, even older than the city itself. It was built in 1785, while Raleigh was incorporated in 1792.

Joel Lane, built in 1760, is the oldest house in Raleigh, but was moved to downtown Raleigh from its original location. However, It was owned by the Mordecai family. 

As we wandered the periphery of the yellow mansion under shady trees, we learned more about the Mordecai family. 

The house was built for the eldest son, Henry Lane, and his wife to live here. Their daughter, Peggy Lane married Moses Mordecai , and when she died, he married her sister Nancy to keep the money in the same family. 

It would become the family home for the four kids, her two sisters, and Moses’ brother Goerge Washington Mordecai.

At the height of the family’s wealth, they owned 1,200 acres of land extending back to northwest Raleigh, including Oakwood Cemetery where they are now all buried. They owned about another 4,000 acres across North Carolina.

They enslaved over 200 people during their time to farm their cash crop of mostly corn. Like most planters, the Mordecai family knew little of farming practices, and used enslaved labor to build their wealth. 

Outside the main home are a couple of buildings presumed to be a plantation office or law office as well as a smokehouse . And, the kitchen, which is not original, as it burned down. This kitchen is from the Allen Plantation but was placed in the original location. 

As they were a relatively big plantation – the biggest in Wake County – the original kitchen would have been three times the size of the one standing. 

It was placed outside the home as kitchens in the south were too hot for homes without AC. But as the family lived here until the 60s this home is unusual as there is now a kitchen inside and AC!

We continued to learn more about the family as we wandered through the rooms exploring the living areas, dining room, law office and nursery, which would have been the only room in the houses where slaves lived. This was not ideal for them as living with slave owners gave them even less freedom and tighter observations. 

Unfortunately, we ran out of time to see the upstairs bedrooms, which were not part of the original house, but additions during the renovations by Nancy to enlarge the house when Moses died. 

Inside the home we learned why Mordecai is pronounced Mor-duh-key , not its original Jewish pronunciation of “Mor-duh-kai “, like we have always said! 

They believe Moses changed the pronunciation of his name to better assimilate into an antisemitic Raleigh culture and to appease Penny’s family who were Christians. (he did convert upon marriage).

We also learned about the heir, Henry Mordecai , as we stopped under his portrait in the living room. He ended up in control of the Plantation from the 1800s to the Civil War and was said to be an awful man who was feared by the slaves. 

The nearby Cameron plantation at Stagville in Durham would threaten their slaves with being sold to him if they did not behave. 

After the Civil War, the house and land were passed down through the family and run by three daughters who had to think quickly after their income dried up. 

They were massively in debt, and one of the daughters, Patty, sold off most of their land to survive. By 1965 they were down to just the three acres of the historical park that is left standing now. Patty took the money and invested it in the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and what would become Duke Energy . 

Patty never married or had kids so left the property to the youngest nephew . He was not allowed to sell it or leave it outside the family. But he also didn’t have kids and when he was in his 90s and unable to live in the house anymore, he made a deal with the city of Raleigh to purchase the property upon his death if they took care of his nursing home costs!

So, in 1969, the Mordecai House became part of the City of Raleigh , including all the artifacts inside, which is why most of the house is full of original artifacts. 

It was quite a fascinating tour and I’m glad we took the hour out of our day to learn more about this fascinating slice of Raleigh’s past. 

The Mordecai House Gardens

Once the tour was over, we walked around the pretty gardens and small vegetable plots behind the outside kitchen. 

The Ellen Mordecai Garden is meant to represent the 19th Century Mordcai family garden as described by Ellen Mordcai in her book, Gleanings from Long Ago . (Note that she intended to only write happy memories of life at Mordecai. It’s one reason assumptions can be made that Henry was not nice as he was absent from the book!)

There are a few tables and chairs under some of the massive oak trees, which would be a lovely spot for a picnic. You can also get great photos from inside the gardens. We also saw some of the biggest okra and shallots I’ve ever seen! 

You may also want to return to the Visitor’s Center to learn more at the permanent exhibit on the site’s history. This exhibit is free to visit. There is also a gift shop here. 

When are the Mordecai House Tours?

The doors to Mordecai House swing open for guided tours Tuesday through Sunday , so you’ve got plenty of chances to time-travel your heart out.

Tours of the Mordecai House and outbuildings are offered Tuesday – Saturday starting at 10 a.m. and the last tour begins at 3 p.m. On Sundays, tours run from 1pm – 4pm (last tour 3pm).

Each tour is approximately 50 minutes , and they start at the top of every hour.

Just remember that reservations are a good idea, especially during peak times. They also do not run tours when field trips are happening, make sure you phone ahead (919-996-4364) to confirm they are running for the general public. Check the official website here .

How Much Does the Mordecai Historical Park Tour cost?

Well, folks, history doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. The tours are pretty wallet friendly. Adults – $7, Senior – $4, Youth – $4. Children 6 and under are FREE.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, history buffs and curious souls. Mordecai House isn’t just a house; it’s a chapter in Raleigh’s story. 

If you’re eager to immerse yourself in the past, don’t miss out on this captivating tour. Uncover tales of bygone days, marvel at the architecture, and experience Raleigh’s rich history like never before. 

It was a great way to spend 50-minutes in Raleigh. While in the Mordecai area, we suggest you explore a little of North Person St (coffee, beer, ice cream, shopping etc.) or wander the historic oakwood neighborhood. 

What historical tour of Raleigh should we do next?

About The Author

Caroline Makepeace

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TRIANGLE WALKING TOURS

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Every City is a Museum

Hiding in plain sight, let us help you find the history, walking tours.

We offer the current tours as of right now: with more to come!

(Important Note: All Tours Must be Booked Online at least one hour in advance)

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Defined by its status as one of the foremost intellectual hubs of the region, Chapel Hill is certainly not a town lacking in stories. From college professors who courted controversy in the 1850s, to one of the most prestigious church architects in the American South, learn these stories and much more on Chapel Hill's history walk

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From the ghosts of long dead lovers wandering the woods of Chapel Hill, to unexplainable sounds in UNC's memorial hall, to rumors of a spooky secret society lurking in a dreary gothic castle on the outskirts of the college campus, UNC has plenty of spooky campfire stories and lore from the town's history. The best part is: all of the stories are based off of true Chapel Hill myths.

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Greensboro African American History Walking Tour

From academics to businessmen to community leaders, learn the stories of the achievements of Greensboro's African American community. On this guided tour of Greensboro's African American history, learn the stories of how the community found creative ways to cope with the systems of discrimination around them, from the creation of Green Book hotels, to the foundation of church communities, to the creation of educational and business institutions.

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Want to organize a large group tour or off-schedule tour? Arrange it with us today!

TESTIMONIALS

Read what real people are saying about our tour guides!

"The tour guide was well organized, knowledgeable, and humorous. He was great and had an answer for every question."

Emily Pierce - July, 2023

"Our guide was not only very informative but clearly passionate about history. It was amazing to have a tour guide who wasn’t there for the job but for the history."

Michael McCaskill -May 2023

Great tour today by a young man who was extremely knowledgeable about the history. I really love black history and was amazed at how much he knew. He is an asset to the community.

Peggy Williams -July, 2023

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Raleigh Walking Tours, LLC

Next Public Walking Tours in Raleigh :  Sat. Apr. 13th @ 11:00 am (Part II Murals tour); 1:30 pm (True Crime & Curious Tales tour) & 3:30 pm (Sip n' Stroll Public Art tour)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS :   Celebrate Mother's Day weekend by joining me for the Raleigh Women's History tour or the Spring Oakwood tour!  Tour dates are limited, so don't miss out!  For the Women's History tour, sign up HERE !  For the Spring Oakwood tour, please click HERE !  

Also, Sip n' Stroll Public Art tours are now available!  Sign up HERE ! 

Want to take a public walking tour?

You name the price for all public tours! You will be immersed in the history and culture of Raleigh as I share my passion for this city with you. Choose from a variety of unique and entertaining walking tour experiences. 

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Haunted History

On this ghost tour, y ou will see some of the most haunted places in Raleigh.  Your guide will regale you with an eerie story at each stop. Brace yourself for a chilling journey into the unknown!  

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True Crimes & Curious Tales

Murder, mayhem, and other strange happenings! Journey back in time to Raleigh’s most interesting true crime stories and other quirky tales. 

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Some of Raleigh’s best art is found off the beaten path. Join us to view vibrant and creative murals, learn about the artists and their inspiration, and see other cool public art. Bring your camera!

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Raleigh Murals , Part 2

Did you love the Original Raleigh Murals Tour? Join us for part 2 to see even more amazing artwork, and capture some great photo opportunities.

Book Part II: Raleigh Murals Tour

Public tours are not available every weekend, so make sure you check out our calendar! Most public walking tours last between 1 hour and 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

Private, fixed price tours are also available .

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Japanese Prime Minister's N.C. visit will feature bluegrass, barbecue and factory tours

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit North Carolina following his state visit with President Joe Biden at the White House this week. 

Japanese companies have made big investments in North Carolina recently, including the new Toyota battery factory in Randolph County and the HondaJet factory at that company's headquarters in Greensboro. Kishida plans to tour both factories during his visit to North Carolina, according to the governor's office. 

What You Need To Know

The japanese prime minister will visit north carolina this week prime minister fumio kishida will tour the new toyota battery plant under construction and hondajet thursday gov. roy cooper will host the japanese delegation for a state lunch japan is north carolina's largest source of foreign direct investment, according to the governor's office.

“Kristin and I are looking forward to showing Prime Minister and Mrs. Kishida what North Carolina has to offer,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a news release.

“Japanese investments in our state create thousands of jobs and these companies contribute so much to our communities. This historic visit provides a unique opportunity to showcase the best of North Carolina and continue to build this mutually beneficial relationship,” he said. 

Japan is North Carolina's largest source of foreign direct investment, according to the governor's office. 

The centerpiece of Kishida's visit will be a State Lunch at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh Friday. 

Kishida's trip to North Carolina will mark the first time a head of state has visited the state's Executive Mansion, according to the State Archives. 

"Award-winning Raleigh Chef Ashley Christensen will prepare a menu that highlights North Carolina’s culinary tradition with contributions from Japanese fare," the governor's office said. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to cook for this group of outstanding leaders and to share some of North Carolina’s incredible bounty of ingredients, from land and sea, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida,” Christensen said in the release from the governor's office.

Sam Jones BBQ, which does eastern North Carolin-style whole hog barbecue, is preparing the Thursday lunch for other members of the Japanese delegation and Japanese media accompanying the prime minister on his trip.

“We are honored to be a part of this visit and most excited to share a tradition and foodway that is rooted in eastern North Carolina,” said Sam Jones BBQ's Mitchell Letchworth. “Whole hog BBQ is a North Carolina standard and Sam Jones BBQ is proud to have our food served at such a momentous event.” 

Bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition will play a set in the garden outside the Executive Mansion during the lunch. 

While the prime minister tours the factories in Randolph and Guilford counties Friday morning, his wife Yuko Kishida will meet with Japanese exchange students and Japanese language students at a high school in Chapel Hill and visit Duke Gardens in Durham. 

The prime minister and his wife will also meet with students at North Carolina State University in Raleigh Friday afternoon. 

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Provides personal guides for walking tours and step-on guides for buses in Raleigh and beyond. Theme tours include: Civil War in Raleigh, Victorian homes, colleges and churches, love stories and scandals and more. Tours by appointment only. Reservations must be made 72 hours in advance.