This simple farmhouse was situated between Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's headquarters in Greensboro, and U.S. Army Major General William T. Sherman's headquarters in Raleigh. In April 1865, the two commanders met at the home of James and Nancy Bennett, where they signed surrender papers for Confederate armies in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. It was the largest troop surrender of the American Civil War.
Hours and Location
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday, and most major holidays
4409 Bennett Memorial Rd.
Durham, NC 27705
Admission
Admission is free. Guided tours require a paid ticket.
Donations are appreciated
Guided Tours and Self-guided Tours
Visitors are welcome to join us for a stroll down the original Hillsborough Road as we share the stories of two generals meeting at the Bennett farm in April 1865. Visitors are taken inside the buildings and given detailed accounts of the discussions between General Sherman and General Johnston in putting an end to the war.
Guided Tour Times
9:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
Guided tour fees:
- Children (0-2): free
- Youth (3-17): $1
- Seniors (65+) & Military: $3
- Adults (18-64): $4
Visitors are also provided a site brochure map for self-guided tours.
Groups of ten or more are requested to call ahead for reservations.
Special Events
Bennett Place hosts several special events throughout the year. There's something for everybody!
Facilities
Historic Structures
The Bennett Farm has been fully reconstructed and restored to the way it would have appeared when General Sherman and General Johnston met here. The Bennett Home consists of three fully furnished rooms to include the parlor where they met to bring an end to the war. The kitchen house is fully furnished as it would have been during the daily life of the Bennett Family. A smokehouse and gardens add to the farmyard appearance of 1865.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center contains a museum gallery of three rooms of exhibits telling the story of the Bennett Family and the events encompassing the largest surrender of the American Civil War. Military weaponry, farm tools, and other Civil War artifacts are part of the collection on display. The theater shows the short orientation film, “Dawn of Peace” during operating hours.
Gift Shop
The Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. operates an extensive gift shop inside the visitor center, which all proceeds from the sales go toward the funding of educational program, preservation, and the maintenance of the park. A large assortment of books on the American Civil War and North Carolina, coffee mugs, prints, puzzles, magnets, Christmas ornaments, toy soldiers, soaps, and candies are some of the many items in the store.
Monuments and Outdoor Exhibits
The Morgan Bench Memorial recognizes contributions by the Morgan family to preserving this historic site. A bandstand was built in 1924 by the Durham Rotary Club for a place to rest on site.
The final monument is Bennett Place's most fascinating and complicated. It is the "Unity Monument" erected in 1923. It was dedicated to the peace and reunion achieved here and portrays the Confederacy as a co-equal opposing government to the United States. In fact, in the dedication speech, Julian Carr concluded of his beloved Confederacy "we lost but we won."
Nature Trails and Picnic Areas
There are walking trails through the forest of the Bennett Farm. Along the trails visitors can view plant life and wildlife, some plants that were present at the time the Bennett’s occupied the land. Benches and boardwalks built by Eagle Scouts and staff provide places to rest and cross remnants of the Ellerbe Creek. A picnic area provides visitors a respite to enjoy a meal or snack with friends and family.
Handicapped Accessibility
Bennett Place provides handicap parking as well as accessibility throughout the visitor center. There is a dirt pathway to the farm (approximately 50 yards), and steps into both the kitchen and main house. Bennett Place staff can put out a mobile handicap ramp upon request, but do note that it is not long enough by regulation and will be quite steep. Unfortunately, our restrooms have one oversized stall each that will likely accommodate someone utilizing a wheelchair or with other mobility issues. However, the stall is not wide enough to turn around or come to the side of the toilet; the person using the stall will have to navigate themselves 90 degrees onto the toilet.
Educational Programs, Special Events, and Group Activities
Bennett Place hosts field trips and offers special events programs throughout the year. Please see our "For Educators" and "Events" pages for more details.