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

HALLOWENO

Join us for our 33rd annual Halloween event, an evening full of fun for the whole family! Designed particularly for children ages 12 and younger, this special event features campfire stories and songs, hayrides, treats, crafts, games, and more. No need to register, just come out, rain or shine! All Ages No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17195 Oct 31 M 5:30pm-8:30pm

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Join us for our annual winter tradition! Enjoy refreshments, historic holiday decorations, festive music, and holiday crafts from yesteryear. No need to register, just come on out, rain or shine! All Ages No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17196 Dec 11 Su 1pm-5pm

HIKES AND TOURS

HISTORY HIKE: MILL-TO-MILL

Put on your hiking gear, we’re exploring the North Carolina Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail. On this Mill-toMill Hike, we are hiking the 4.5 miles between West Point Mill and Guess Mill Site (in the Eno River State Park). All along the route, your guide will talk about the history and culture of this section of the Eno River. All participants must bring at least 64 ounces of water, a lunch and snacks, and wear weatherappropriate clothing and shoes. Minors must be accompanied by a registered adult. Preregistration required. Limited to 15 participants. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17119 Sep 2 F 10am-1pm

HISTORY HIKE: HUGH’S VIEW

Come explore West Point on the Eno through Hugh Mangum’s camera lens. Our traveling photographer frequently came back to his parent’s house at West Point. While here, he photographed the area, maintained a dark room, and used the creek to develop film. We’ll be tracing his steps on a onemile hike through the park. No dogs on this hike as we will be going in and out of buildings. We will meet at the West Point Mill. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17120 Oct 7 F 10am-12pm

HISTORY HIKE: FACT AND FOLKLORE AT WEST POINT

There are many legends that surround West Point on the Eno. This hike will explore some of these and what we know. This will be a three-mile hike through the park. Friendly dogs welcome. We will meet at the West Point Mill. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17121 Nov 4 F 10am-12pm

HISTORY HIKE: HIDDEN WEST POINT

West Point on the Eno was home to many folks, a number of whom left indelible marks on the landscape. Join us for an on- and off-trail hike that will explore abandoned home sites, old roadbeds, former irrigation systems, and so much more. This hike is presented in partnership with the Eno River Association. Together we will show you parts of West Point you have never seen before! This hike will be about five miles long. Please, no dogs on this hike since we are going off trail. We will meet at the McCown-Mangum House. Age: 10 and up No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17122 Dec 2 F 10am-1pm

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 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 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 people’s cabin and the Leigh Family Cemetery. No Cost LEIGH FARM PARK 17193 Sep 3-Dec 10 Sa 10am-11am

LEIGH FARM PARK TOUR

Take a guided tour of Leigh Farm Park. You will 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 slave cabin, speakeasy, and the Leigh Family Cemetery. Registration is not required. No Cost LEIGH FARM PARK 16006 Sep 3-Dec 10 Sa 10am-3pm

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, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 16003 Sep 3-Dec 11 S,Sa 11am-2pm

WEST POINT HISTORY 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, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. All Ages No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17141 Sep 3-Dec 11 S,Sa 10pm-2am

WEST POINT SPECIAL HISTORY TOUR

Special Tours: Join us at 10 a.m. Saturdays for new special park tours that will introduce audiences to previously unexamined topics of West Point history. Each month will feature a new topic ranging from the history and culture of alcohol use in the region and at West Point on the Eno to the view of history through the lens of the women of West Point. You won’t want to miss these special tours! No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 16011 Sep 3-Dec 10 Sa 10am-11am West Point on the Eno as long been a destination for recreation and relaxation for the people in the Durham community and beyond. Come enjoy an afternoon of historic field games, old-fashioned fishing in the Eno, and a special park tour to discover the many ways people have historically recreated in the beautiful setting of West Point on the Eno. No Cost WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17194 Sep 10 Sa 12pm-4pm

HANDS ON HISTORY: CAMERA OBSCURA

Discover the long history of photography, hear about West Point’s very own photography history, and make your own camera obscura! Registration is required and one adult must remain with their child(ren) throughout the program and are encouraged to participate. Age: 7-11 CR Fee: $1.50 NCR Fee: $6.50 WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17125 Oct 15 Sa 2pm-3pm 17126 Oct 15 Sa 3:30pm-4:30pm

HANDS ON HISTORY: HONEYBEES AND HISTORY

Honeybees have been a part of our lives for a very long time, from ancient Egypt up to modern day. These hard workers play a very important part to the ecosystem. Come learn about this buzzing bug! Registration is required and one adult must remain with their child(ren) throughout the program and are encouraged to participate. Age: 7-11 CR Fee: $1.50 NCR Fee: $6.50 WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17123 Sep 17 Sa 2pm-3pm 17124 Sep 17 Sa 3:30pm-4:30pm

HANDS ON HISTORY: VETERANS DAY

The Leigh family has generations of veterans in their family tree. Join us to learn some of their histories. Then make a craft that will honor the legacy of all our veterans! Registration is required and one adult must remain with their child(ren) throughout the program and are encouraged to participate. Age: 7-11 CR Fee: $1.50 NCR Fee: $6.50 LEIGH FARM PARK 17128 Nov 12 Sa 2pm-3pm 17129 Nov 12 Sa 3:30pm-4:30pm

TIME TRAVELERS’ TRUNK

Pack your traveling trunk! We’re going back in time to explore the history that surrounds us. Bring your child for history-themed reading, activities, and nature exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings outside of the age range are welcome to attend, but may not be able to participate in craft activities depending on the amount of available supplies. Age: 4-5 CR Fee: $1.50 NCR Fee: $6.50 LEIGH FARM PARK 17136 Nov 12 Sa 10am-11am WEST POINT ON THE ENO 17131 Sep 17 Sa 10am-11am 17133 Oct 15 Sa 10am-11am

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.

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.