Just across beautiful Queen Anne Creek a short walk from historic downtown Edenton, there’s a farm on the Albemarle Sound that has been here since 1765 called Hayes Farm.
It’s easy to miss, if you don’t cross the water, but missing it would be a mistake.
Hayes Farm covers a whopping 194 acres along the Sound.
At its center is the massive main house, built in 1816, along with several outbuildings that kept the farm running for decades. Around them are vibrant, colorful gardens and century-old trees, with views of the Albemarle Sound.
Hayes Farm is a National Historic Landmark, and when you visit Edenton, there’s no doubt you’ll want to make it across the water to visit it.
It’s been the home of governors, senators, and more.
Samuel Johnston, who later served as governor of North Carolina and as a U.S. Senator, bought the land in 1765. His son, James, built the house that stands there now. When James died in 1865, he left Hayes to his friend Edward Wood, and the Wood family kept it for six generations.
Hayes was also home to generations of enslaved people, who lived and worked on the farm until the end of the Civil War. Their cottages are among the buildings still on the property, and there is still more to learn about the people who lived and died at Hayes.
The cemetery holds the graves of prominent figures, including James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In 2022, the State of North Carolina bought Hayes Farm.
With the purchase, the Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation took over management of this historic, one-of-a-kind property.
The restoration of Hayes Farm was begun shortly thereafter, in 2023, and has included updates to the main residence, several of the outbuildings, and the return of some of its original furnishings to the property.
No matter the season you visit, Hayes Farm is a must stop part of the trip.
The grounds at Hayes are open every day from dawn to dusk, and there’s plenty across its expansive grounds. You can wander the gardens, take in the 1816 house and the surrounding outbuildings, visit the cemetery, and walk the old railroad bed trail along Edenton Bay.
You can visit it yourself, or sign up for customized tours with local experts who can give you the stories and secrets of this historic property.
It’s easy to find, too.
You can get to Hayes Farm by crossing the Queen Anne Creek Bridge a beautiful wooden bridge connecting both Hayes and the residences on that side of the river to historic downtown Edenton.
If you’re here for the holidays, Hayes will be open for Christmas Memories at Hayes on December 11 and 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., decorated for the season by the Garden of Eden Club and the Hayes Gardeners. Reservations are required, and tickets are available through the Barker House.
Come see it
So the next time you’re in Edenton, walk (or drive) out to Hayes, wander the grounds, and take a look at a farm that’s been part of this place since 1765!
