Moorefields, Federal style plantation house near Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Moorefields is a two-story residence featuring a central block with three bays, flanked by single-bay wings and a shed porch with wooden posts. The property includes gardens, trails, woodlands, and pastures spread across its grounds.
Alfred Moore, a Revolutionary War officer and later United States Supreme Court Justice, built this summer residence in 1785 on land originally granted to Colonel John Gray. The property was later added to the historic register and received permanent legal protection through a conservation easement in 2024.
The property serves as a venue for concerts and outdoor events that connect visitors with local history. Educational programs and community gatherings create spaces where people experience the area's cultural heritage firsthand.
Visitors should expect hilly terrain with trails crossing the property, so wearing comfortable footwear is advisable. The season affects accessibility, particularly after rain, when some pathways become more difficult to navigate.
The property sits at one of the highest points in central Orange County, where approximately 50 white oaks once provided shade. These ancient trees disappeared during Hurricane Fran, fundamentally changing the landscape of the place.
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