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

AN AFTERNOON IN THE PARK

West Point on the Eno has 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. Beer and cider will be available for purchase, proceeds will benefit Durham Parks Foundation and future projects at West Point on the Eno.

All Ages

No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18838 Sep 16 Sa 12pm-4pm

WEST POINT STORY SLAM

West Point on the Eno has a long history featuring colorful stories and interesting people. Presenters will share their creative oral storytelling based on actual people or events from West Point’s past. The oral storytelling performance will be the culmination of the work done by the participants in the storytelling workshops preceding the presentation day. This will be an opportunity for the participant to perform the stories they’ve written to an audience and for the audience to experience West Point on the Eno’s history through a creative and fun lens.

All Ages No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18839 Oct 28 Sa 5:30pm-7:30pm

Halloweno

Join us for our 35th 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!

No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18840 Oct 31 Tu 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

18841 Dec 10 Su 1pm-5pm

Hikes And Tours

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 am, 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm. **There will be no West Point History Tours on 10/29/23.**

Age: 1 and up No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18827 Sep 9-Dec 9 Sa 11am-1pm

18826 Sep 3-Dec 3 Su 10am-1pm

SPECIAL TOUR: PLAYFUL PASTIMES

Join us at 10 a.m. on Saturdays for a tour where participants will discover the history of how Durhamites have played on this part of the Eno River ... from picnics, swimming, fishing, and more, there’s lots to explore! **There will be no Playful Pastimes Tours on 9/16/23 and 10/28/23.**

All Ages

No Cost

18829 Sep 2-Dec 9 Sa 10am-11am

Leigh Farm History 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 people’s cabin and the Leigh Family Cemetery. **There will be no Leigh Farm History Tours on 9/16/23 and 10/28/23.**

All Ages

No Cost

LEIGH FARM PARK

18834 Sep 2-Dec 9 Sa 10am-2pm

Children Junior Historians

Calling all young historians! We’re going back in time to explore the history that surrounds us. Join us for history-themed stories, activities, and 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 availability of supplies.

Age: 5-6

CR Fee: $1.50 NCR Fee: $6.50

LEIGH FARM PARK

18815 Sep 9 Sa 11am-12pm

18816 Oct 14 Sa 11am-12pm

18817 Nov 11 Sa 11am-12pm

STUFFY SLEEPOVER!

Bring a stuffed animal, doll, or action figure for a toy sleepover in historic McCown-Mangum House! 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: $3 NCR Fee: $8

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18822 Dec 9-Dec 10 S,Sa 5:30pm-12pm

Adults

Yoga By The Eno

Experience the meditative and health benefits of yoga as you practice by the rejuvenating natural surroundings of the Eno River. This will be a mixed levels class with modifications offered. Please bring your yoga mat to the class. Please bring your yoga mat to the class.

Age: 18 and up

CR Fee: $16 NCR Fee: $21

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18823 Sep 5-Sep 26 T 9am-10am

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 pound 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!**There will be no Cane Pole check-outs on 9/16/23.**

Age: 5 and up No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18837 Sep 2-Oct 1 Sa, Su 10am-12pm

Mill Escape Room

Hurry, the water is rising! Race against the clock to break out of the West Point Mill in this historythemed escape room. Put your detective skills to the test to solve clues and learn about our historic mill. Pre-registration is required. NOTE: There will be four hour-long sessions, beginning at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 pm. Please only register for one session. Each one can accommodate up to 10 people and needs to have a minimum of three people to run the escape session. Participants will need to register and pay individually.

Age: 12 and up

CR Fee: $4 NCR Fee: $9

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18819 Sep 30 Sa 3pm-4pm

19041 Sep 30 Sa 4pm-5pm

19042 Sep 30 Sa 5pm-6pm

19043 Sep 30 Sa 6pm-7pm

Workshops And Meet Ups

FIBER CRAFT WORKSHOP: INTRO TO FELTING

Have you ever wanted to learn a fiber arts craft, but didn’t know which you would enjoy? Now is your chance to explore different skills. DPR’s Cultural Heritage team is partnering with Piedmont Fibershed to lead a series of fiber-arts focused workshops. Each workshop will provide participants with the introductory skills and supplies to begin your crafting journey. Be sure to check out our free, monthly meet ups to come hone your new skills. This project was supported by the Durham Arts Council’s Annual Arts Fund and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. See other programs in this series here.

Age: 15 and up

CR Fee: $12 NCR Fee: $17

LEIGH FARM PARK

18736 Sep 10 Su 12pm-3pm

CRAFT MEET UP

Calling all fiber artists! You are invited to join Piedmont Fibershed at a monthly meet up to work on projects, learn, and share your craft. We will have a facilitator on hand to get novices started, and a small collection of equipment and materials available for anyone to use. This project was supported by the Durham Arts Council’s Annual Arts Fund and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. See other programs in this series here.

Age: 5 and up No Cost

LEIGH FARM PARK

18737 Sep 24 Su 12pm-3pm

WORKSHOP:

Story Slam Writing

Storytelling is a fun community practice going back thousands of years. Join us to workshop your own creative story based on the history of West Point on the Eno. Throughout the three-week workshop, participants will be introduced to the art of oral storytelling and creative writing. They will use West Point’s rich history as the basis of their story, which they will have a chance to present in front of an audience during the Folktales and Folklore: An Oral Storytelling Performance at West Point on the Eno. Registration is required.

Age: 13 and up No Cost

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18820 Oct 10-Oct 24 Tu 6:30pm-8:30pm

WORKSHOP: WOMEN OF WEST POINT AND EMBROIDERY

Embroidery has been an artistic, cultural, and educational expression for women throughout the course of American history. This workshop will invite participants to come together to create embroidered art while hearing about the history of some of the women who lived within the West Point on the Eno community. Through historical discussion and creation, participants will be introduced to this historic craft and its ties to historical women’s representation.

Age: 13 and up

CR Fee: $6 NCR Fee: $11

WEST POINT ON THE ENO

18821 Nov 15 W 6:30pm-8pm

We support Inclusion

- Persons of all ability levels are welcome at every facility and every program.

CR: City Resident; NCR: Non-City Resident