History A. J. Davis Architecture Directions Archaeology
Blandwood is one of the America's great historic homes, representing the ideals of progressive North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead and serving as a protype for one of America's most popular architectural styles in the nineteenth century.
Constructed by Charles Bland on the crest of a hill on his wooded farm, the earliest portions of the Blandwood were completed in 1795. The simple two-story farmhouse was later purchased by Governor Morehead, and subsequently expanded according to plans drawn by nationally renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis of New York. Davis designed additions in the Italianate style villa that featured a central tower, stucco walls, and symmetrical flanking dependencies. Completed in 1846, it is considered the oldest standing example of Italianate architecture in the United States.
Today, Blandwood operates as a museum, and provides visitors with a remarkably complete ensemble of 19th century art, architecture, furnishings, and landscape. The house was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and received the distinction of being named a National Historic Landmark in 1988
Tours
All tours of Blandwood are guided by trained docents, who will take you through the restored main building including the 1795 farmhouse section, the 1822 addition, and the 1846 A.J. Davis Italianate addition.
Tours of Blandwood also include the two reconstructed dependencies, Governor Morehead's Law Office and the Kitchen. Both buildings were recreated using the original plans and evidence of foundations discovered during an archaeological dig in 1984.
The Blandwood Gardens are open daily and include a variety of native plants and trees. In 1844 the grounds at Blandwood were featured in A. J. Downing's landscape guide Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening Adapted to North America. Today the only remaining original elements of that design are the sweeping drive, decorative urns, and feature plants that characterize Victorian era gardens.
Tour Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00am-4:00pm &
Sunday 2:00pm - 5:00pm
The last tour begins 30 minutes prior to closing.
Blandwood and it's outbuildings are fully air-conditioned for your comfort as you tour the museum.
Please note that Blandwood only offers guided tours, led by trained docents. During our regular hours of operation tours are available on a walk-up basis. If a tour has started prior to your arrival, it may be necessary for you to wait until its completion to start your tour. Generally a tour of Blandwood lasts 45 minutes to one hour.
Closed Mondays, major holidays and the first week of January.
Admission
$8.00 Adults
$7.00 Seniors, AAA, Groups
$5.00 Children under 12
Blandwood can take cash, check, or credit cards for your admission.
To qualify for a group tour you must have a minimum of 10 people. To qualify for the group tour rate of $7 you must have a minimum of 20 people. All groups must reserve tours in advance a minimum of two weeks.
All scheduled NC school groups tour Blandwood for FREE admission. School groups must have one chaperone per 10 children. School groups must book tours in advance a minimum of two weeks.