Cultural Heritage

Provides local and regional cultural heritage programs through active and passive interpretation to gain an understanding of how the natural and cultural history of the area has shaped our past, present, and future.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FROM SHEEP TO SPINDLE, HOW WOOL BECOMES YARN

Did you know that Leigh Farm has a history of raising sheep and weaving dating back to 1861? Come see how wool is turned into yarn, try your hand at spinning, and visit with some sheep. No Cost LEIGH FARM PARK 17935 Mar 18 Sa 1pm-5pm

EGG HUNT

Egg hunters wanted at our 36th Annual Egg Hunt at West Point on the Eno. Children 0-12 will be divided into groups according to their age for the egg hunt. Find the golden egg and win an extra prize! All age groups will start at 10:15 a.m.; games and crafts to follow. Age: 12 and under No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17936 Apr 1 Sa 10am-12pm

HIKES AND TOURS

LEIGH FARM PARK TOUR

Take a guided-tour of Leigh Farm Park. Come inside the Visitors’ Center and request a tour from our Historic Site Interpreters at your convenience from 10am- 2pm. You’ll learn about the families who lived here, their work, and life on a middle-class plantation. Venture inside the historic farmhouse while also visiting the enslaved peoples’ cabin and the Leigh Family Cemetery. No Cost LEIGH FARM PARK 17934 Apr 8-May 27 Sa 10am-2pm

WEST POINT PARK TOUR

Take a guided tour of West Point on the Eno’s historic buildings and grounds. While visiting the West Point Mill, McCown-Mangum House, and Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, you will hear stories about the people who lived, worked, and played here. Tours leave on the hour. Less than 99 CR Fee: $0 NCR Fee: $0 WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17795 Apr 2-May 28 Sa, Su 10am-1pm

WEST POINT SPECIAL TOUR: WILLIAM “DINK” MCCOWN’S WEST POINT

Join us at 10 a.m. Saturdays for a new tour that will delve into the lives of the enslaved and emancipated individuals at West Point on the Eno. Through the eyes of William “Dink” McCown, the tour will explore his experiences as an enslaved child and adult, and then freedman who was trained to be the miller of McCowns’ Mill. All ages No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17803 Apr 8-May 27 Sa 10am-11am 17805 Apr 15 Sa 10am-11am 17815 Apr 22 Sa 10am-11am 17825 Apr 29 Sa 10am-11am 17898 May 6 Sa 10am-11am 17906 May 13 Sa 10am-11am 17915 May 20 Sa 10am-11am 17926 May 27 Sa 10am-11am

Explore the trails of West Point on the Eno while learning how to interpret natural and man-made changes within the landscape. Discover more about the park and the natural history all around us. This hike will be about three miles long. Registration is required. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17938 Jun 3 F 10am-12pm

HISTORY HIKE: PLAYFUL PASTIMES

Explore the trails around West Point on the Eno while learning about how Durhamites have played on this part of the Eno River...from picnics, swimming, fishing, and more, there’s lots to explore. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear study hiking shoes as some hikes can cover up to 3 miles. Dogs are generally allowed unless the specific hike includes entry to the historic building(s). Contact caitlin.avinger@ durhamnc.gov for specific hike details. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17939 May 5 F 10am-12pm

SCHEDULE A PRIVATE TOUR OR HIKE

Would you like to schedule a private park tour or hike? Private tours and hikes are free, but please allow eight business days for us to set up for you. Private tour options include park tours of Leigh Farm Park or West Point on the Eno Park, or a selection of our History Hikes. Contact Caitlin Avinger at Caitlin.Avinger@DurhamNC.gov if you have questions or would like to schedule one. Please note, private tours and hikes are dependent on staff availability and are limited to a maximum size of 14 participants. If you would like to register for a regularly scheduled tour or hike, visit us at DPRPlayMore.org.

MILL STUFFY SLEEPOVER!

Calling all young millers! Bring a stuffed animal, doll, or action figure for a toy sleepover in our historic grist mill! Participants and their stuffies will enjoy stories and treats before children tuck their toys in for the night. Children will return the next morning to claim their toy, eat cornmeal pancakes, and play some historic games. Registration is required. Guardians must remain with their children during both parts of the program. Age: 2-7 CR Fee: $4.50 NCR Fee: $9.50 WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17940 May 12-May 13 F 5:30pm-6:30pm Sa 10am-12 pm

HISTORY EXPLORER’S DAY: MILL MANIA

Discover! Play! Learn! Register your group for a day full of exciting learning opportunities. Student groups will begin their adventure with a walking history tour of the park. Then participate in educational stations all focused on exploring the history and science behind our historic water-powered grist mill. Participants will learn about simple machines that make up the mill, discover the history and importance of grist mills in our region, hike to a former mill site, and more! Activities are designed for ages 5-12. Siblings outside of the age range are welcome to attend, but may not be able to participate in activities depending on available supplies. Registration is required. Guardians must remain with their children throughout the program. Age: 5-11 CR Fee: $3 NCR Fee: $8 17944 Apr 21 F 10am-12pm 17945 Apr 21 F 11am-1pm 17946 Apr 21 F 12pm-2pm 17947 Apr 21 F 1pm-3pm 17948 Apr 21 F 2pm-4pm Discover! Play! Learn! Register your group for a day full of exciting learning opportunities. Student groups will begin their adventure with a walking history tour of the park. Then participants can try their hand at making a camera obscura, experiment with sun prints, explore the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, and more! Activities are designed for ages 5-12. Siblings outside of the age range are welcome to attend, but may not be able to participate in activities depending on available supplies. Registration is required. Guardians must remain with their children throughout the program. Age: 5-11 CR Fee: $3 NCR Fee: $8 17949 May 19 F 10am-12pm 17950 May 19 F 11am-1pm 17951 May 19 F 12pm-2pm 17952 May 19 F 1pm-3pm 17953 May 19 F 2pm-4pm

MULTI-GENERATIONAL

CANE POLE FISHING

Looking for an enjoyable way to pass a weekend morning? Stop by the mill and check-out a cane fishing pole and drop a line! Folks have been fishing in the mill pond at West Point on the Eno for centuries and now you can try it the old-fashioned way. Stop in and see how you do at old-school fishing! **Due to the Easter Holiday there will be no Cane Pole check-outs on 4/9/23. Age: 5 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17954 Apr 2-May 28 Sa, Su 10am-12pm

HERITAGE PARKS

West Point on the Eno Park and Leigh Farm Park make up the City of Durham’s Heritage Parks. These significant natural and historic parks provide opportunities for picnicking, fishing, hiking, outdoor nature study, and cultural history programming.

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

5101 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704 919-560-4355 This 388-acre natural and historic park is located along a two-mile stretch of the scenic Eno River, six miles north of downtown Durham. Take a step back in time to Durham’s early beginnings by touring the working Grist Mill, the 1850’s McCown-Mangum House, and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography. Park tours are offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December. Tours are free, but registration is required. Park tours meet at the mill. Private tours can be arranged in advance by calling 919-560-4355. You can also enjoy a leisurely picnic and stroll around the grounds or take a hike through the woods on one of the park trails. Feel free to bring your canoe or raft and experience the beauty of the Eno River. The park gates are open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m. to dark.

Cog pit in the West Point Mill at West Point on the Eno

Leigh Family House at Leigh Farm Park

LEIGH FARM PARK

370 Leigh Farm Rd. Durham, NC 27707 919-560-4355

This 82.8-acre property located at 370 Leigh Farm Road is anchored by a seven-acre historic core listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The park includes the Leigh House (circa 1835), an early 19th century dairy, a mid-19th century enslaved peoples cabin with notable stick-built chimney, smokehouse, corn crib and a late 19th century well house and carriage house. The property also features a second mid-19th century slave cabin with a 1930 Rustic Revival log addition, an early 20th century tobacco barn and pack house, several mid-20th century residences, and wooded acreage that was historically open agricultural land. Guided tours are offered on Saturdays through December. Admission is free.