This national historic landmark includes the restored mid-1800s Duke family home, tobacco barns, original factory and farm. It also has a museum to showcase the beginnings of the modern-day tobacco industry, complete with demonstrations of early farming techniques and manufacturing processes, special programs and experts to answer visitor questions. Please call at least two weeks ahead to schedule a school group or a group of 10 or more people.
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Hours:
Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: Closed
The Duke homestead has the original house occupied by the Duke family. They also have their first tobacco 'factory.'
We took the guided tour with a school group. The tour takes you through the different processes the tobacco leaves go through to prepare it for sale. The Homestead has the original buildings that were used for these processes using manual labor.
It's a good tour for kids because they would get see and understand firsthand how young kids helped in the tobacco making process a long time ago. Kids had worked 16 hour days according to our guide and had no opportunity for schooling.
The actual house occupied by the Dukes is window to the past and shows how people managed without the comforts we take for granted such as electricity, running water and indoor toilets.
This is a place worth visiting with kids.
Jesse Reed
Oct 3, 2025
5
Great museum. Well maintained property. Great staff. Highly recommend.
Climbing Kitten
Oct 3, 2025
5
This museum is a way to educate yourself about the history of tobacco.
The people who work here are super friendly & nice.
I don't like tobacco, a lot of people I care about smoke. 🥺 Their health is at risk.
North Carolina made a lot of money in the tobacco industry. But I hope they can find something else. This stuff is harmful.
Definitely worth a visit.
Jeff Jones (JJ)
Sep 6, 2025
5
Knowledgeable guides, interesting exhibits well maintained grounds.
Ken Ray (mrkenray)
Aug 4, 2025
5
One of the best museums in Durham, and hardly anyone visits. It's free. So much parking, including accessible. If you have never been, get up and go now.
k benat
Jun 8, 2025
5
Exceeded my expectations. Learned so much about the history of tabaco and of the Duke family, from their humble beginnings. An excellent tour guide enhanced the visit. In addition to viewing the old Duke homestead, we viewed in the museum with lots of historical items. Admission is free.
Hy Nguyen
Apr 15, 2025
5
The staffs are very helpful. A great place to visit, so that you can know more about the history of the Duke family and the tobacco industry in its first stages. No ticket is needed.
Rosa Giusti
Mar 31, 2025
5
Pretty underappreciated historical spot! Informative museum, well-thought out. Very nice staff. We were there on a day the auditorium had been rented out, so couldn't see the video. Nice, easy path to the buildings. A little disappointed we couldn't go into the house, but did peek through the windows. A really fun little thing to do in the middle of North Durham! Will return
Travis Truong
Mar 22, 2025
5
The museum about tobacco was interesting especially the old tobacco TV commercials. Even better is that admission is free. The buildings on a former farm were interesting to look at even though the crops weren't fully grown yet when I visited.
Matthew Madonia
Feb 19, 2025
5
This museum is a treasure. Come and learn about one of the founding farms in Durham. Great history and thorough display.
