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All the United States North Carolina Durham Duke Homestead
AO Edited

Duke Homestead

The birthplace of a tobacco empire.

Durham, North Carolina

Added By
zride1905
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Tobacco museum.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Tobacco museum.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Duke Homestead.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Bonsack feeder.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Pipes.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Spittoons.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
Bright leaf tobacco.   zride1905 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Following the Civil War, Washington Duke (as in Duke University) converted his Durham, North Carolina farm into a small tobacco-manufacturing factory, which he operated it with his sons, Buck and Ben.

A few years later, Buck invested in a newly developed cigarette-rolling machine that could complete the daily work of 48 hand-rollers. That decision, coupled with a heavy expenditure on new marketing methods, allowed the family business to rise above its competitors. In 1890, Buck forced a merger of the five largest tobacco companies, and led the newly formed American Tobacco Company until its dissolution in 1911 under anti-monopoly legislation.

Today, visitors can see the original Duke residence and outlying structures related to their early tobacco trade. Additionally, the property has a small but fascinating museum that showcases various aspects of the history of tobacco, from slave labor to television advertising.

Related Tags

Museums Homes Tobacco

Know Before You Go

The property is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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zride1905

Published

February 3, 2025

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Duke Homestead
2828 Duke Homestead Rd
Durham, North Carolina, 27705
United States
36.035768, -78.920968
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Photo of Durham

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Photo of Durham

Durham

North Carolina

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Stories 2

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