House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site

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House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site Built c. 1772, site of Revolutionary War skirmish. The House in the Horseshoe, Alston House, was built in 1772 by Phillip Alston. David Fanning.
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During the American Revolution Alston proved a fiery leader for the Whig cause. In 1781 the house was the site of militia skirmish between the owner, Whig Col. Philip Alston, and Loyalist Col. The house still bears some the scars from this engagement. From 1798 to 1814 the House in the Horseshoe, under the name Retreat, was home to another Patriot leader and four time North Carolina governor, Benjamin Williams.

Do you know what this object is? This bed warmer would have been useful during cold winter nights! It was filled with ho...
08/09/2026

Do you know what this object is? This bed warmer would have been useful during cold winter nights! It was filled with hot embers and placed under bed covers to provide warmth.

September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed between Great Britian and the United States, which formally ended th...
03/09/2026

September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed between Great Britian and the United States, which formally ended the American Revolution and recognized the United States’ independence.

Source: National Archives and Records Administration.

September 1, 1775, Benjamin Williams was appointed Lieutenant in the Second North Carolina Continental Regiment. As Li...
01/09/2026

September 1, 1775, Benjamin Williams was appointed Lieutenant in the Second North Carolina Continental Regiment. As Lieutenant, Williams participated in the Burning of Norfolk and the Battle of Sullivan’s Islands.

Happy Back to School to our North Carolina teachers! We are proud to be a part of NC Department of Natural & Cultural Re...
27/08/2026

Happy Back to School to our North Carolina teachers! We are proud to be a part of NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources and excited to share a brand new resource they created for our wonderful educators. The Educator Resource page has valuable information to enhance teachers’ professional development and inspire students.

dncr.k12.nc.gov

We had a blast at Camp Flintlock, Inc.’s Colonial Faire! We shared information about the new visitor center, plus demons...
25/08/2026

We had a blast at Camp Flintlock, Inc.’s Colonial Faire! We shared information about the new visitor center, plus demonstrated woodworking and the tape loom.

Congratulations to our Historic Sites Director Michelle Lanier!
24/08/2026

Congratulations to our Historic Sites Director Michelle Lanier!

to this 1978 photo of the Alston House!(Photo from House in the Horseshoe Archives)
20/08/2026

to this 1978 photo of the Alston House!

(Photo from House in the Horseshoe Archives)

We spotted this spiny oakworm moth! As caterpillars, they feed on oak leaves, but as adults, they don’t eat at all! Spin...
18/08/2026

We spotted this spiny oakworm moth! As caterpillars, they feed on oak leaves, but as adults, they don’t eat at all! Spiny oakworm moths have a food reserve built up to survive long enough to reproduce.

📣 We’re hiring! NC Historic Sites is currently recruiting for the Site Manager position at House in the Horseshoe State ...
18/08/2026

📣 We’re hiring! NC Historic Sites is currently recruiting for the Site Manager position at House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site in Sanford, NC.

✴️ This position is responsible for the overall leadership of House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site including long range planning, development of new interpretive strategies, development of programs, conceptual planning, networking with regional travel organizations, developing and implementing a marketing plan, and establishing and directing site mission and goals.

🧠 Candidates with knowledge of early American, Revolutionary, and/or North Carolina history are preferred and encouraged to apply

🗓️ Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 28.

💵 Annual salary recruitment range: $41,206.00 - $49,943.00

🔗 Visit the link in the comments to apply and for the complete job description, benefit information, and application instructions.

We’re excited to be at Colonial Faire, hosted by Camp Flintlock, Inc., next Saturday, August 22 from 10am to 4pm. We wil...
15/08/2026

We’re excited to be at Colonial Faire, hosted by Camp Flintlock, Inc., next Saturday, August 22 from 10am to 4pm. We will be tabling with woodworking and loom demonstrations!

Address

288 Alston House Road

27330

Opening Hours

Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00

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