Stagville

Stagville, officially known as Historic Stagville State Historic Site, is a state-owned historic site located in Durham County, North Carolina, United States. It is one of North Carolina's State Historic Sites and is dedicated to interpreting the history of a large and complex plantation established in the late 18th century and persisting through the Civil War and beyond.

The site focuses primarily on the lives and labor of the enslaved African Americans who built and maintained the plantation. Stagville was one of the largest plantations in the antebellum South, encompassing approximately 30,000 acres and housing nearly 900 enslaved people at its peak. The Bennehan and Cameron families, who owned Stagville, amassed significant wealth through the cultivation of tobacco and other cash crops using enslaved labor.

Key features of the site include several original buildings, such as Horton Grove, a row of two-story slave dwellings, and the Bennehan House, the plantation owners' residence. Interpretive programs and exhibits at Stagville explore the history of slavery, plantation life, and the experiences of enslaved people. The site also examines the transition from slavery to freedom after the Civil War and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Historic Stagville State Historic Site aims to provide a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the history of slavery and its lasting impact on American society. Research, preservation, and education are central to the site's mission. It is a significant resource for understanding the complexities of the plantation system and the lives of those who were enslaved.