A lot happened in the Triangle before all the suburbs started sprouting up. Learn more at some of these historic places.

Many offer special events geared toward children. As always, call ahead to find out what's scheduled.

Wake County
Joel Lane Museum House
Built in the early 1770s for the man considered the “Father of Raleigh.” Lane facilitated the location and creation of the capital city.Phone: 833-3431
Where: 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh
Web site: www.joellane.org
Mordecai Historic Park
A collection of historic buildings including an antebellum plantation home, the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson and other structures. Lots of special events for kids, which are run through the city of Raleigh parks department
Phone: 857-4364
Where: 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh
Web site: www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_209_0_43/http...
State Capitol
The State Capitol building was finished in 1840 and is considered one of the finest and best preserved examples of a major civic building in the Greek Revival style of architecture.
Phone: 733-4994
Where: 1 E. Edenton St., downtown Raleigh
Web site: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/Sections/HS/capitol/default.htm
Haywood Hall
Construction began in 1799. It’s now the oldest house within the original city limits of Raleigh to remain on its original foundation.
Phone: 832-8357
Where: 211 New Bern Place, downtown Raleigh, about a 1 1/2 blocks from the State Capitol
Web site: www.haywoodhall.org
Historic Oak View County Park
A 19th century farmstead where the region’s agricultural and rural heritage is interpreted. Lots of family-friendly events.
Phone: 250-1013
Where: 4028 Carya Dr., Raleigh
Web site: www.wakegov.com/locations/oakview.htm
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Wake County’s last remaining water-powered gristmill is the focus of the 174-acre park.
Phone: 856-6675
Where: 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd.
Web site: www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/default.htm
Durham County
Duke Homestead
Washington Duke helped create a market for Durham-area tobacco products. His sons eventually founded the largest tobacco company in the world.
Phone: 477-5498
Where: 2828 Duke Homestead Rd., Durham
Web site: www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/duke/duke.htm
Historic Stagville
Stagville was a plantation of several thousand acres.
Phone: 620-0120
Where: 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham
Web site: www.historicstagvillefoundation.org
Orange County
Horace Williams House
Headquarters for the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill. It hosts exhibits, concerts and other events.
Phone: 942-7818
Where: 610 E. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill
Web site: www.chapelhill preservation.com
Orange County Historical Museum
The museum conserves and interprets the economic, political, cultural and social history of Orange County
Phone: 732-2201
Where: 201 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, N.C.
Web site: www.orangecountymuseum.org
Johnston County
Bentonville Battlefield
The Battle of Bentonville was the last full-scale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount an offensive. It was the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina
Phone: 594-0789
Where: 5466 Harper House Rd., Four Oaks, N.C.
Web site: www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm
Coats Museum
Gathers, preserves and displays the material and culture from the Coats community.
Phone: 894-4443
Where: 109 S. McKinley St., Coats
Web site: www.coatsmuseum.com
Tobacco Farm Life Museum
Preserves the history and cultural heritage of eastern North Carolina farm life.
Phone: 284-3431
Where: Highway 301 North, Kenly, just off Interstate 95 at exit 107
Web site: www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org
Something missing? Contact Sarah.Lindenfeld@newsobserver.com