City: Raleigh, NC

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (919) 857-4364

Address: 1 Mimosa St.

Description: In centuries past, the Greek Revival Mordecai House was a farmhouse set on one of Wake County’s largest plantations. Today it sits off busy, four-lane Wake Forest Road half a mile from the State Capitol. Moses Mordecai, for whom the house is named, married into the family of Raleigh founder Joel Lane. Through the generations, the 5,000 acres that made up the original farm were sold for development. Alongside the Mordecai House stand several historic buildings that have been moved to the site, including the small wood-plank house where Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States, was born. Admission to the grounds is free, but fees are charged for tours. Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours, which offer one-hour, narrated trips past downtown Raleigh’s historic sites, leave from Mordecai House park Saturdays March through December. Call the site for information about tours and fees.