Visitor Information

Museums and Historic Sites

Alexander Dickson House, 150 E. King Street. The Orange County Visitors Center operates from this late-18th century Quaker-plan house. It was moved from its original location (1 mile southeast of Hillsborough) to its present location in the heart of the historic district. The site also includes an office used by Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865 and an 18th and 19th century medicinal and herbal garden. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm. Closed major holidays. Free. (919) 732-7741

Ayr Mount, 376 Saint Mary's Road. 1815 Federal-era plantation house, restored and furnished with period antiques and fine art. Guided tour. The estate includes the one mile long Poet's Walk. March 21-December 20, Wed-Sat 11am, Thurs-Sun 2pm. Other times by appointment. Closed major holidays. $10 admission. (919) 732-6886. More Information.

The Burwell School, 319 N. Churton Street. Site of Rev. and Mrs. Burwell's School for Young Ladies from 1837-1857. Site includes c.1821 frame house with 1848 additions, brick music building, brick necessary house and formal gardens. Guided tour. Wed-Sat 11am-3pm, Sun 1pm-4pm, Closed mid-December-mid-January and major holidays. Free. (919) 732-7451. More Information.

Historic Church Buildings.

• Dickerson Chapel AME Church, 100 E. Queen St.

• First Baptist Church, 201 W. King St.

• Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, 102 W. Tryon St. More Information.

• Hillsborough United Methodist Church, 130 W. Tryon

• St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 210 St. Mary's Road

Occaneechi Indian Village, E. Margaret Lane, behind the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. Reconstructed 17th century Occaneechi village on the banks of Eno River, near where the tribe had an actual village 300 years ago. Mon-Sun, dawn-dusk. (919) 732-7741.

Old Orange County Courthouse, N. Churton and E. King Streets. 1844 Greek-revival building designed and built by local builder John Berry. The courthouse is still in use for county judicial business. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Free. (919) 732-7741.

Orange County Historical Museum, 201 N. Churton Street. Museum exhibits explore Orange County's history, featuring Colonial weights and measures (the only complete set in the U.S.), portraits of notable Hillsborough figures, and memorabilia from the Colonial, Antebellum, Civil War, and Industrialization eras. A second-floor gallery showcases a different local artist each month. Tues-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. Winter hours (Jan.1-Feb.1):Tues-Sun 1-4PM. Closed major holidays. Free. (919) 732-2201. More Information.

Ruffin-Roulhac House, 101 E. Orange Street. Hillsborough's current Town Hall once belonged to Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin. The early 19th century house has notable interior woodworking and is surrounded by several outbuildings. Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Free. (919) 732-2104.

Town Cemeteries

• Lockhart-Phillips Family Cemetery, E. Tryon St.

• Old Slave Cemetery, W. Margaret Lane and Occoneechi St.

• Old Town Cemetery, N. Churton St and W. Tryon Sts.

• St. Matthew's Churchyard, St. Mary's Rd. and Cameron St.