On April 26, 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to U.S. Army Major General William T. Sherman from the parlor of James and Nancy Bennett’s farmhouse in what is now Durham, North Carolina. This marked the largest surrender of the American Civil War, with over 89,000 Confederates surrendered. The terms of Johnston and Sherman’s negotiations reflected a broader and future national debate over how to remake the United States without slavery and reunite the nation.
During our 160th Anniversary Program, Bennett Place State Historic Site explores the surrender and its impact on all North Carolinians. Join us to learn more about how veterans, civilians, and freedpeople alike experienced and thought about the end of the American Civil War and what would come next.
The program features several costumed interpretation displays and performances.
Event Timeline:
10:00 - 3:00: Civilian & military camp displays with costumed interpreters. Civilian interpretation includes cobbling, tailoring, refugees, and the Bennetts. Military camp includes Confederate and U.S. soldiers and officers. Displays are available throughout the program, with exceptions of staggered breaks for costumed interpreters.
10:00 - 10:20: Conflict & Comradery. Explore how U.S. and Confederate soldiers interacted with each other on the Bennetts' property while waiting for Johnston & Sherman to negotiate.
10:15 - 10:45: Sherman & Johnston in the Bennett house. Witness the Bennett home with the generals in place. Visitors are welcome to interact with staff and costumed interpreters, but no skit or reenactment will occur at this time.
11:00 - 11:30: Bennett Place Negotiation. Bennett Place staff guide visitors through the meeting of Sherman & Johnston along the historic Hillsborough Road for their surrender negotiations.
11:30 - 11:50: Conflict & Comradery. Explore how U.S. and Confederate soldiers interacted with each other on the Bennetts' property while waiting for Johnston & Sherman to negotiate.
12:00 - 1:00: Dr. Michael Vorenberg's presentation on the complicated end to the American Civil War. Author of new book Lincoln's Peace.
12:30 - 1:30: In the Bennetts' House: Johnston and Sherman's Surrender Meeting. This special 12-minute presentation allows a limited number of visitors to learn about the negotiations between Sherman and Johnston in the room where it happened. This presentation is led by a staff member with Sherman and Johnston in the room, with some historic dialogue recreated between the generals. Space limited, advanced registration required via Eventbrite. Time slots are 12:30, 12:50, and 1:10.
1:00 - 1:20: Conflict & Comradery. Explore how U.S. and Confederate soldiers interacted with each other on the Bennetts' property while waiting for Johnston & Sherman to negotiate.
2:00 - 2:30: Bennett Place Negotiation. Bennett Place staff guide visitors through the meeting of Sherman & Johnston along the historic Hillsborough Road for their surrender negotiations.
2:30 - 3:00: Sherman & Johnston in the Bennett house. Witness the Bennett home with the generals in place. Visitors are welcome to interact with staff and costumed interpreters, but no skit or reenactment will occur at this time.
Program details, including a schedule of events, subject to change with weather and staffing. Please note that participation in living history demonstrations or community tabling is by invitation only. As a site of peace, Bennett Place will not have any weapons demonstrations during this program.