Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast is thankful to be located in an area with so much important history. The Bennett Place Historic Site is a simple farmhouse that was located between Confederate General Johnston’s headquarters in Greensboro and Union General Sherman’s headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1865 the two officers met at the Bennett Place, where they signed surrender papers for southern armies in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
Today the James Bennett’s reconstructed farmhouse, kitchen, and smokehouse recall the lifestyle of an ordinary Southern farmer during the Civil War. The Bennett Place State Historic Site is located at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road in Durham, NC 27705.
Commemoration of one of the final major events of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War on the actual site of the Bennett Farm where Major General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnston met on April 17, 18, and 26, 1865 to reach a peace agreement and begin the reunification of our nation.
Event activities include the reenactment of the surrender negotiations, military and civilian living history programs, sutlers and artisans, ceremonies, music, and the final stacking of arms for the Army of Tennessee, CSA. Noted historians and authors will make presentations throughout this week long event. There is an Admission Fee, which will vary for different activities throughout the week long commemoration.
April 17 – 26:
150th Anniversary of Surrender at Bennett Place
FRIDAY, April 17, 2015
- The First Meeting-Special Guided Tours of Bennett Place in Real Time
- Living History Programs
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
SATURDAY, April 18, 2015
- The First Meeting-Special Guided Tour of Bennett Place in Real Time
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- Living History Programs
- Eastern Soldiers of the Union Armies
- Western Soldiers of the Union Armies
- Eastern Soldiers of the Confederate Armies
- Western Soldiers of the Confederate Armies
- Final Campaigns in North Carolina
SUNDAY, April 19, 2015
- A Nation Reunited-19th Church Service at McMannen Methodist Church, Durham
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- Living History Programs
- Eastern Soldiers of the Union Armies
- Western Soldiers of the Union Armies
- Eastern Soldiers of the Confederate Armies
- Western Soldiers of the Confederate Armies
- Final Campaigns in North Carolina
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015
The Road To Surrender: Raleigh To Greensboro-BUS TOUR (Starts at Bennett Place Historic Site)
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015
- Meet Soldiers; Civilians-Living History Programs for Schools and Student Groups
- Civilians of the Homefront; Refugees
- Life of the Infantry Soldier
- Join the Cavalry-Life of the Cavalry Trooper
- Hear the Cannon Roar-Civil War Artillery
- Caring for the Wounded and the Sick-Civil War Medicine
- Getting Correspondence to the Troops-The Postal Service
- Striking Your Image-Civil War Photography
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- Virginia Civil War Mobile Museum
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
- Meet Soldiers; Civilians-Living History Programs for Schools and Student Groups
- Civilians of the Homefront & Refugees
- Life of the Infantry Soldier
- Join the Cavalry-Life of the Cavalry Trooper
- Hear the Cannon Roar-Civil War Artillery
- Caring for the Wounded and the Sick-Civil War Medicine
- Getting Correspondence to the Troops-The Postal Service
- Striking Your Image-Civil War Photography
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- Virginia Civil War Mobile Museum
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- Special Guided Tours of Bennett Place
- An Evening with a Special Guest Historian
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery
- The Armies Arrive-REGISTRATION; CAMP SET UP
SATURDAY, April 25, 2015
- The Arrival of the Generals
- Formal Surrender Negotiations
(Meetings between Major General William Tecumseh Sherman and General Joseph Eggleston Johnston inside the Bennett Home)
- Meet the Bennett Family
- Meet the Soldiers of Blue & Gray
- Military Drills & Demonstrations of the Infantry and Cavalry
- Accounts of Civilian Refugees
- Musical Entertainment
- Sutler Row; Artisan Demonstrations
SUNDAY, April 26, 2015
- The Arrival of the Generals
- Formal Surrender Negotiations
(Formal Meetings between Major General William Tecumseh Sherman and General Joseph Eggleston Johnston inside the Bennett Home)
- Meet the Bennett Family
- Meet the Soldiers of Blue; Gray
- Military Drills & Demonstrations of the Infantry and Cavalry
- Accounts of the Civilian Refugees
- Musical Entertainment
- Sutler Row; Artisan Demonstrations
- Historical; Genealogical Exhibit Displays & Information
- Johnston’s Farewell Address to His Troops
- Final Stacking of Arms of the Army of Tennessee and the Issue of Paroles
(This occurred in Greensboro, NC, but we will recreate it on the Bennett Farm)
- Unity Monument Ceremony Honoring the Sacrifice of Americans
(Wreath laying ceremony by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of Union Veterans, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Sons of Union Veterans, Union and Confederate Soldiers, Special Presentations, and Keynote Speaker)
Ongoing Exhibitions and Activities Throughout the Week
- New Museum Exhibit Gallery (Visitor Center)
- Book signings; presentations by well known historians and authors
- Musical Entertainment
- Sutlers; Artisan Demonstrations
- Sons of Union Veterans Exhibit, Genealogy Research, and Membership Table
- Sons of Confederate Veterans Exhibit, Genealogy Research, and Membership Table
- Daughters of Union Veterans Exhibit, Genealogy Research, and Membership Table
- United Daughters of Confederate Veterans Exhibit, Genealogy, and Membership
- North Carolina Civil War Tourism Council Display and Information
- North Carolina Sesquicentennial Display and Information
- Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. Membership and Display Table
There are plenty of fascinating demonstrations, exhibitions, and activities during this week-long commemoration. If looking for an elegant place to stay during your visit, think of our Durham bed and breakfast.
According to Black Enterprise magazine, Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast of Durham, North Carolina is the number one black-owned bed and breakfast in America. We are thankful to have shown our warm Southern hospitality to so many wonderful guests over the years.
We give our visitors with a tasty homemade breakfast each morning. Located in the Tastiest Town of the South, according to Southern Living magazine, has its perks. Our guests enjoy not only great food, but plenty of activities and places, including:
The Bull City is a great place full of exciting entertainment and fabulous food. Take your special someone our lovely and romantic Durham bed and breakfast. Be here to celebrate the 150th anniversary of one of the last events to take place during the end of the Civil War in America.