bennett place historic site

This is an extremely historic place with regards to the end of the Civil War. It is definitely worth the visit. There are periodic reenactments during the year, Christmas events, school events, etc. Easy to get to within Durham, North Carolina

I have traveled the country visiting historic sites. Many of the volunteers have learned scripts and deliver solid presentations. But at Bennett I ran across a guide name Kevin and he blew me, my husband and my kids away with a depth of knowledge and context I can't remember having ever experienced at a historic site, state or federally run. The fact that the site is obscured in history helps the presentation because you are guaranteed to learn something new. If you come to Durham, this is the historic site to visit. Stagville and Duke Homestead are both worth visiting, but had I not visited Bennett Place,I would have really missed something.

Where the Civil War really ended. Not well known by the general public.Make sure to see video in visitor's center. Look for reenactments that happen there from time to time.

We arrived late in the day, after touring several other sites, and were a bit toured out...but Timothy really made the stop worthwhile. We learned so much about the history of the time, and he told it with a sense of humor that made history come alive for us. You think you remember U.S. History, but you don't. Our books are limited, and don't acknowledge multiple surrenders. If you want more information about our Civil War, go and take the tour! All of their historic sites are free. You give a voluntary donation if you choose.

If I ever learned about this site in history, I certainly don't remember. I had always thought that Appomattox was the only surrender site. This site is small, but interesting and certainly deserves more attention than what it gets. The museum and grounds are free to visit, but donations are greatly appreciated. The grounds preserve the road base where Johnston surrendered to Lee and the nearby homestead. The visitor center contains a small museum of artifacts and information pertaining to this historical event. If you are interested in visiting important Civil War locations, this is a must stop that doesn't take a whole lot of time.

This is the place where Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered about 89,000 Confederate forces remaining in the field in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas to Major General William T. Sherman. Negotiations began on April 17, 8 days after Lee had surrendered roughly 25,000 troops to Grant at Appomattox Court House and 2 days after the death of President Lincoln. Sherman intended to extend similar easy terms to Johnston's armies as Grant had given to Lee's, in accordance with the expressed desires of President Lincoln, but he went farther into political questions and was operating under a much less sympathetic President and Congress than had Grant only 8 days before. The initial surrender terms were therefore rejected in Washington, and the negotiations did not end until April 26. It is a mystery why the National Park Service does not honor this site as it does Appomattox, but fortunately the State of North Carolina has stepped up to do it and does it well. The original Bennett farmhouse was mysteriously set afire in the 1920's, but the State has constructed a replica from period materials and photos, as well as the outbuildings, and has preserved the dirt road and put up rail fences to show how the two Generals would have approached the spot. We happened to be in Durham on a Monday, the only day that this site is closed, but some staff members let us in to walk around the spot and one even brought out a "Self Guided Tour" pamphlet to help us understand the site. You should visit and support the State in its preservation of this historic location.

Visited here on a road trip to Florida. Very nice place to visit, not in the mainstream of civil war sites, but as the site of the largest surrender of the civil war it's worth a visit for anyone interested in the American Civil War. It's not open everyday, so check the website for details. Very good visitor/souvenir centre. There's a 15 minute introduction film , its worth taking the time to view it before walking out on the site. Very nice staff in the centre. There's no admission charge, but please leave a donation to help support the site. There are some major events panned next year for the 150th anniversary. Gets my vote in civil war sites.

We found this small, amazing place which was on one of the few highlights of our visit to Durham, NC. It actually explains history in a different way than most of us learned about the Civil War era in school. To simplify this was the actual place where the war ended as this surrender by the Confederacy was much larger than the commonly mentioned ones. My wife and I found the story fascinating how the surrender was negotiated and they used this small local family farm to work it out. It is relatively small and rather simple setting but loaded with interesting tidbits. They ask only a $3 contribution which makes it an enormous value. There are some interesting items available to purchase in the gift shop.On the whole we were rather disappointed with Durham. While Duke Univ and the Sarah Duke gardens are gorgeous the town center is very uneven and not at all what we expected. Maybe it was my fault as I did not do enough research, but the town while having some nice places and parts is pretty depressed economically.In summary though, if you have any interest in history and the Civil War era, Bennett Place is a must see. The gentleman working there was very knowledgeable and helpful.

The site itself is very small, surrounded by modern growth from the city of Durham. The grounds sport a nice museum and reconstructed Bennett house, kitchen and smokehouse.My wife and I were the only ones at the site in time for the 1:00 PM Sunday tour, and we wished we hadn't. Although well meaning and knowledgeable on many subjects of history, our tour guide rambled on for about 30 minutes at the museum before taking us out onto the property. There we learned the history of canning foods, his version of how cowboys came into being, the true history of John Wesley Harding, and how no one had every conquered Russia. He summed up his tour with a third summation of how slaves weren't really freed by the end of the war. Fortunately, our guide had to give another tour at 2:00 or we probably would still be there. I felt like I was on an episode of Drunk History.For anyone interested in Civil War history or even local Durham history, this is a must see, Just be warned, if they ask if you want to take the tour, just so no! Do it on your own.

Bennett Place was the site of the largest troop surrender of the Civil War (Gen. Joseph Johnson and General Sherman) in 1865. The surrender took place at the home of James and Nancy Bennett. The museum is small but contains a lot of information. Take the time to talk to some of the reenactors and they will have some interesting stories to tell. The original Bennett house burned but the original stone chimney still stands.

Fun place to visit but it is rather small. Enjoy the informative movie and museum. There are outbuildings but they were locked.

I went with my daughter who is a history grad student at Duke and we both found this a very interesting visit. The guide was extremely knowledgable of the history of Carolina -slaves-life-and the civil war. I would go back again as there always seems to be more to learn.

While Lee's surrender of 26,000 troops to Grant at Appomatox Court House may have set the stage for the end of the Civil War, Joe Johnston's surrender of 89,000 troops to Sherman ~two weeks later at Bennett Place effectively ended the war. Few - even North Carolinians - know much if at all about the surrender negotiations that took place at Bennett's farm, situated half way between the two opposing armies. This is a North Carolina Historic Site and, while it has a self-guided tour, there may be a docent in attendance to take you around. My group's guide was Angelina, a sophomore in high school who volunteered her time on Saturdays. She was knowledgeable and personable. If you are looking for grandeur, don't visit. But if you are looking to experience a location with a lot of historical significance, this is a place to visit.

We had a tour guide that really put this ground into prospective. There were also a couple of reenactors on the grounds as well. The meeting and later friendship between these two former adversaries (Gen Sherman and Gen Johnston) took place at the Bennett House. Next year is the 150 yr anniversary of the meeting. This is another free museum. I highly recommend it.

If you really care about the minute details of the American Civil War, well, this is a pretty historic place. And entrance is free (although donations are certainly much needed). But other than that, there is not much to see here. It is more of a "been there done that" for Civil War history buffs