Mordecai Historic Park

Site Tours and Visitor Center

Visitor Center and Parking

Please begin your trip to Mordecai Historic Park at the Visitor Center. Here you will find tour tickets and park information, as well as the gift shop and meeting space. The permanent exhibit, "The Mordecai Story: Faith, Family, and Community in Raleigh" will be installed in June 2016.

Please Note: Public tours are not offered when field trip groups are on-site in the morning. Please call 919-996-4364 to check on tour availability.

The Visitor Center is a short walk from the parking area which lines Mimosa Street. Simply follow the walking signs through the park to the Visitor Center which stands on the corner of Cedar Street and Wake Forest Road.

Please note that handicap parking spaces are available in the parking lot on Mimosa Street, as well as in front of the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and the first floor of the Mordecai House are wheelchair accessible.

Admission

• Tickets for the guided tour may be purchased at the Visitor Center.
• Tours of the Mordecai House and outbuildings are offered at the top of the hour. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and the last tour begins at 3 p.m. Each tour is approximately 50 minutes.
• Pricing: Adults - $7, Senior - $4, Youth - $4. Children 6 and under are free.
• Public Tours are not offered when school groups are on site.
• Please call 919-996-4364 Tuesday – Sunday to check on tour availability.

Historic Structures and Landscape

• Mordecai House ca. 1785/1826
• Cure barn ca. 1840
• Plantation Office ca. 1840
• Ellen Mordecai Garden ca. 1842
• Mordecai Spring
• Allen Kitchen ca. 1842
• Andrew Johnson Birthplace ca. 1800
• Badger Iredell Law Office ca. 1810
• St. Mark's Chapel ca. 1847
• Bouchall-Danielson House ca. 1917

Historical Information

• Mordecai Historic Park was once the site of the largest plantation in Wake County.
• The recreated 19th-century kitchen garden is based on the documentation left by Ellen Mordecai in her memoir and letters.
• Read about the Mordecai Plantation, the enslaved workers, and the family that lived in the Mordecai House from 1785-1964

Digital Discoveries

Check out Mordecai Historic Park's Digital Discoveries! You'll find fun activities, historic info, & even a printable board game. 

Stay tuned for more content for all ages on the way!

School Field Trips

Admission

• School and educational tours are held on Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• The maximum student capacity is 81 students.
• Mordecai offers two program package options, comprised of three - 45-minute programs.
• Option 1: Mordecai Historic Park Field Trip
  • 1) Mordecai Family & House Program (inside the Mordecai house)
  • 2) Slavery & Plantation Program (on the park grounds and inside the Allen Kitchen)
  • 3) Andrew Johnson Program (inside the Andrew Johnson birthplace and St. Mark's Chapel. Both structures are located on-site)
  • Cost: FREE
• Option 2: Mordecai Historic Park and Raleigh Trolley Field Trip
  • 1) Mordecai Family & House Program (inside the Mordecai house)
  • 2) Slavery & Plantation Program (on the park grounds and inside the Allen Kitchen)
  • 3) Historic Raleigh Trolley Program (a guided trolley tour highlighting Raleigh's history)
  • Cost: $50 for the first trolley and $40 per additional runs.

Artifact and House Program

• Students will learn how life has changed over time.
• Students will use their reasoning skills and senses to determine the use of artifacts found within the home.
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) Competency Objective: 2nd Grade 3.01, 3.04, 7.01 – 3rd Grade 2.02, 3.02, 3.03 – 4th Grade 2.03, 3.01

Plantation Slavery Program

• Students will become aware of the different roles and tasks performed by enslaved people on the Mordecai Plantation.
• Students get the chance to dig for artifacts on a mini-archeology dig.
• NC DPI Competency Objective: 2nd Grade 2.03, 3.02, 3.03, 3.06 – 3rd Grade 3.01, 3.02 – 4th Grade 2.03, 2.04, 3.01

Andrew Johnson Program

• Students tour the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States.
• Students learn about Johnson’s life and his journey from poverty to president.
• Students learn about impeachment and have a chance to participate in their own impeachment trial!
• NC DPI Competency Objectives: 2nd Grade 2.01, 2.02, 6.02 – 3rd Grade 1.02, 1.03, 1.05, 2.02, 2.03, 3.01, 7.01 – 4th Grade 1.03, 2.03, 3.01, 3.02, 4.05.

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours

• Students will step on board the Raleigh Trolley to learn about Raleigh and its past.
• Students will learn about the founding of Raleigh.
• Students will see historic sites and landmarks throughout the city.
• NC DPI Competency Objectives: 2nd Grade 2.01, 3.05, 4.01, 4.03, 6.02 – 3rd Grade 1.02, 2.02, 2.03, 3.01, 3.02, 5.07 – 4th Grade 1.03, 2.03, 3.01, 3.02, 4.02, 4.05.

Historic Raleigh Trolley

919-996-4364 | email

Tours

• Trolley tours do not operate in January or February.
• Leaves from Mordecai Historic Park on Saturdays, March through December, at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
• Enclosed and air-conditioned.
• Admission: $10 adults, $6 youth (7-17), Free for children (6 years and under)
• Tours begin and end at Mordecai Historic Park and last approximately one hour.
• More Information on Rentals and Tours

Site Rentals

Request your rental online using RecLink or by reaching out to the Rental Manager.

Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval. Upon approval, payment will be required to confirm the reservation. Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment.

Visitor Center

• The Visitor Center (can include the exhibit gallery and classroom spaces).
• Visitor Center classroom space is available from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Exhibit Gallery is available from 4-11 p.m.
• Classroom (Weekdays): Residents - $75/hr, Non-residents - $125/hr.
• Classroom (Weekends): Resident - $100/hr, Non-residents $150/hr
• Exhibit Gallery w/ Classroom: Residents - $150/hr, Non-residents - $200/hr
• All rentals have a 2-hour minimum and a maximum of 8 hours. Please inquire for discounted pricing for rentals of 4 or more hours.
• Additional fees: $15 application fee, $250 refundable damage deposit fee, $100 alcohol permit fee (if applicable), $80 Visitor Center cleaning fee (if applicable)
• Please note: all music and alcohol service must end by 10 p.m. in all rented spaces. All people must vacate all rented spaces by 11 p.m. The time between 9:30-11 p.m. is meant to be used to clean up and gather all belongings.

Park Grounds

• Mordecai Historic Park grounds (includes St. Mark's Chapel, a small changing room, and the park grounds).
• St. Mark's Chapel and the park grounds are available from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
• St. Mark's Chapel and park grounds: Residents - $100/hr, Non-residents, $150/hr (min - 2hrs, max 8hrs)
• Additional fees: $15 application fee, $100 refundable damage deposit fee, $100 alcohol permit fee (if applicable), $80 Visitor Center cleaning fee (if applicable)
• Please note: all music and alcohol service must end by 10 p.m. in all rented spaces. All people must vacate all rented spaces by 11 p.m. The time between 9:30-11 p.m. is meant to be used to clean up and gather all belongings.

Volunteers and Members

919-996-4364

Volunteers

• Docent Program – This program offers training in local and site-specific history. Volunteers then conduct guided tours of the Mordecai House and outbuildings
• School Field Trips – Almost 10,000 students visit Mordecai Historic Park every year. Join us in our mission to educate students about how life has changed over time
• Special Events – Several large events are held each year that highlight the history and offerings of Mordecai. Haunted Mordecai and Santa's Trolley are two of our most popular events. Volunteers are needed to assist with a range of activities including special guided tours, crafts, and games
• Grounds Beautification – There are always projects that need to be done on the grounds and gardens. Volunteers help keep Mordecai looking its best

Contact Celeste Purvis

Membership

• Free admission to Mordecai Historic Park and City of Raleigh Museum
• Free admission to select site events, museum events, tours and lectures
• 10% gift shop discount at Mordecai and City Museum
• 10% discount on all site rentals
• The Raleigh Register Program Newsletter
• Join the Mordecai Square Association! Your donation will help revitalize and preserve one of North Carolina’s most significant historic sites.
• As a member you also enjoy cross program perks at the City of Raleigh Museum, The Raleigh Trolley, Mordecai Historic Park, Borden, Tucker, and Pope House Museum.
• Membership Form