Step back in time at these Duplin County attractions
DUPLIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA– September 2019–Today, the vineyards, farmlands and small towns of Duplin County, North Carolina are the main attractions of this thriving destination. But here, visitors can also take a step back in time and discover the rich history, along with some nostalgic gems, of this eastern North Carolina location. Along I-40 and just a short drive from both I-95 and the popular North Carolina beaches, this beautiful region is the perfect spot to get away. And it’s an amazing place to go back in time.
Duplin is the heart of North Carolina’s wine country. In a county known for the fruits of its muscadine production, there is one local business that is blending today’s abundant crops and yesterday’s traditions. At the Country Squire Inn (748 N.C. 24 Bus./50, Warsaw, North Carolina 28398), the Old World charm of a 1780s farmhouse greets visitors. The Tartan Tasting Room offers samples of wines curated through a multi-generational effort, with roots extending back to Scotland. Wines called Bonnie Berry, Knickerdropper and Pride of Scotland foretell the continued allegiance to the founders. This is also home to a one-of-a-kind restaurant that has become a landmark attraction, enchanting diners since 1961. In addition, there is The Vintage Inn, with twelve motel rooms, each with a view of the grounds, and The Squire’s Guest House, with four rooms furnished in antiques and decorated with distinctive Scottish tartan themes.
In Kenansville, visitors can explore America’s past on the grounds of Liberty Hall (409 S Main St, Kenansville, North Carolina 28349). The restored home is a Southern Historic Landmark and a paragon of the Antebellum South. This is the ancestral home of the prominent Kenan family who were among the earliest founders and leaders in Duplin County and the state. Also on the campus is a historical park with a log cabin, general store, a tobacco barn and more. Next door is the Cowen Museum of History and Science, housed within the Kelly-Farrior House (ca. 1848), also dedicated to preserving and interpreting local history.
Liberty Hall plays host to several events throughout the year which bring the past to life. Annual favorites are Heritage Day each spring, History from the Grave in October and a Christmas Candlelight Tour each December.
The Country Barn (889 Fountaintown Road, Beulaville, North Carolina 28518), has been described as a hidden gem. Along a rural road in Beulaville, this store has homemade breads, muffins and pies, fresh churned butter, local farm produce, meats and cheeses. But that’s not all; there are also handmade furniture and crafts as well as bulk flour, grains, sugar and spices. This family owned business shares the fruits of their simpler Mennonite lifestyle with patrons from near and far and has become a popular shopping spot for many.
Once a year the streets of Warsaw are home to the oldest consecutively running Veterans’ Day Parade in the country, rolling for nearly 100 years. Warsaw’s celebration has been designated as the official State Veterans Day Parade of North Carolina. But heroes are also celebrated all year at the Duplin County Veterans Museum (119 E. Hill Street, Warsaw North Carolina 28398), in Warsaw and remembered at the Duplin County Veterans Memorial outside the county courthouse (112 Duplin St, Kenansville, North Carolina 28349) in Kenansville.
There are other historic attractions to experience and sights to see here, as well. Find out more about them all there is to discover in Duplin County online at UncorkDuplin.com.
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS PAST: The Christmas season is the perfect time to celebrate the past in Duplin County. Liberty Hall’s Christmas Candlelight Tours invite guests to celebrate amid natural decorations inspired by the 19th century. A tour through the hall features costumed guides and interpreters sharing stories and traditions of families that lived in the Antebellum South. The Civil War Soldier Encampment shines a light on life of a soldier during the Civil War. The 2019 event is scheduled for December 6-7.
For a Down Home Country Christmas celebration, Duplin Winery (505 N. Sycamore St, Rose Hill, North Carolina 28458) is the place to be! The winery’s annual holiday dinner theater, “Down Home Country Christmas,” has become a tradition for many. The evening includes dinner in the Bistro and a show to remember. Described as one of the best Christmas shows on the east coast, this is a family-friendly show filled with music, comedy, nostalgia and fun. Held weekends, November 9 through December 14.