Know Before You Go
Every year in April costumed reenactors take over the place. Witness the surrender and visit the civilian camp area.
Fun Fact
A 1921 fire destroyed everything except the stone chimney, so what visitors see is a meticulous reconstruction of the original. A guide points out all the 19th-century "amenities" like the iron crimpers used for curling hair, the rope bed and the corn husk mattresses.
Customer Reviews
A Terrific Visit to Bennett Place Historic Site Reviewed by cwfilms on
2007-06-30T15:03:12Z
One of the best kept secrets in Durham, North Carolina. We had a wonderful experience visiting Bennett Place. The staff is very knowledgeable about the surrender and the Bennett Family. There is a great museum with some unique artifacts of the Civil War and the film was up to date with modern technology as far as museums go. They also have a pretty nice gift shop with a good book selection on the surrender and the Civil War in North Carolina. Interesting to now know the Civil War did not end at Appomattox, and that this was the largest of the surrenders. I can't wait to come back to see the annual Surrender Commemoration living history event.
Pros: Nice Gift Shop, Good Movie and Museum, Knowledgeable and Friendly Tour Guides
Cons: The actual Bennett Home no longer stands, but it is a nice reconstruction
simple history Reviewed by hdevil on
2006-11-19T20:18:10Z
How do you know your friend was born in durham? Ask if they've been to the Bennet Place. A favorite elementary school outing, few durhamites have missed it. That doesn't mean you should avoid the simple landmark yourself. This site, so important to the civil war, could be easily over looked, tucked away in residential durham. However it is very well kept up and worth any history buff's time.
Pros: parking, upkeep, service
Cons: not much to see
Visit This National Treasure Reviewed by HelloMetro User on
2008-03-09T10:30:00Z
Bennett Place is one of those forgotten historic places which helped shape this nation. It is where General Joe Johnston and General William T. Sherman met to put an end to most of the fighting in the Civil War. Despite the attention Appomattox, VA has received, Bennett Place, being the largest of all the surrenders, holds equal if not more prominence than where Lee and Grant met.
There is a wonderful Visitor Center with artifacts and exhibits on the Bennett Family and the war, and the short film, Dawn of Peace, give an insightful depiction of the events which occurred here.
