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Vance Birthplace
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Vance Birthplace cabin in snow

This North Carolina mountain plantation, tucked in the Reems Creek Valley, explores daily life in the early 1800s in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors can peek inside our historic structures, including our loom house, tool shed, spring house, smoke house, and corn crib.

Visitors may choose to take a 45-minute guided walking tour of the site. Interpreters lead tours through a 1790 slave dwelling and discuss the eighteen enslaved men, women, and children that lived and worked on the Vance farm. After visitors examine the plantation outbuildings, the tour concludes at the reconstructed 1790s Vance home. Here, visitors can view the original brick chimney and fireplace where Leah, an enslaved woman, prepared meals for the Vance family. Our guided tours are offered daily at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. Effective October 1, 2019 a suggested cash donation of $2 per adult, $1 for children ages 5-12 and seniors is requested for guided tours of the Vance Birthplace. This request does not apply to scheduled school group tours or activities. Admission to the site and self-guided tours remain free.

Zebulon Baird Vance, one of North Carolina’s governors and U.S. senators was born on this property in 1830. Vance’s notable career would begin long after his family left this plantation and visitors are welcome to explore the exhibit in our visitor center to learn more about his time as governor and how this early mountain life would come to shape him and his policies.

Visitors can learn more about Appalachian life and culture during special events. Our yearly event schedule includes living history events, festivals, workshops, and lectures—as well as our annual Appalachian Christmas Carol, which puts a spin on Dickens’ traditional story by weaving in the history of the Vance Birthplace. Click here to learn more about upcoming events.

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, and most major holidays.

Admission Fees

Admission is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated.

Hours of operation and fees are subject to change. Contact directly for most current information.

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