Duke Farms is a site of historical illumination.
Through exploring the property, you can catch glimpses of our land’s past, present, and future; from the era of native Americans and early Dutch farmers, to the Duke family and our current environmental initiatives.
Throughout the seasons, you can discover vestiges of the early farmers who cleared the native forests for their farming. The fountains, lakes, waterfalls, statues, and structures hold historical significance as relics of James’ Buchanan Duke’s vision; to replicate his home state of North Carolina, with decorative touches from his European travels.
Duke Farms doesn’t just embody Buck Duke’s origins and fine tastes; when his daughter, Doris Duke, inherited the land, she wanted it to highlight horticulture and conservation. Fast forward to present day, we strive to implement and share environmental initiatives that serve as a living testament of how we all can be stewards of the land now and for the future.
Hungry for more on the historical context of Duke Farms? Learn more with these tips:
- Ask at the Front Desk on your next visit
- Call ahead to view our archived postcard collection of the early 20th century “Duke Park”; See if you can match old postcards to our current day view (You can get a taste of our postcard archive below!)
- Ask about the class, “Understanding Duke Farms: Past, Present, Future
- Read up at the informational signs at sites on the property like the Old Foundation, Hay Barn, and Arboretum
- Check out the Exhibit Room to learn more
- Informational video on Duke Farms’ mission and history (Show every 10 min.)
- Take a peek of the timeline of our habitats, “Changes in the Land through Time”
- Watch the video in the Coach Barn (open some weekends)
