If you’re looking for a quaint picnic spot, look no further than Mordecai Historic Park! Take a step back in time to the early 1900s as you wander the grounds and gardens in a homely village-like atmosphere. There’s a large front lawn with a perfect picnic spot under some tall oak trees. During normal operations you can purchase tickets to tour the Mordecai house and outbuildings as well.
walking up to the Mordecai House 
perfect place for a picnic!
19th Century Gardens
Landscapers have recreated the 19th-century kitchen garden based on the known historical documentation left behind. My kids loved to stop and smell the beautiful flowers; I just had to make sure they didn’t pick any!
History of the House
The Mordecai House was originally built for the Lane Family in 1785. It started off much smaller than it currently is, and a huge addition was built in 1826. The house and grounds opened to the public as Mordecai Historic park in 1972. Around that time the Allen Kitchen, Andrew Johnson Birthplace, Badger-Iredell Law Office, and St. Mark’s Chapel were moved to the Mordecai property from other areas of Raleigh and the state, giving the park the village-like feel it maintains today. You can read the full history of the home here.
While you’re exploring the grounds, have older kids take the Mordecai Map Quiz to keep them engaged and learning more about the history around them!
Tours
Tickets for the guided tours may be purchased at the Visitor Center, which is a short walk from the parking area lining Mimosa Street. Follow the walking signs to the Visitor Center located on the corner of Cedar Street and Wake Forest Road.
Tours of the Mordecai House and outbuildings are offered at the top of the hour. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and the last tour begins at 3 p.m. Each tour is approximately 50 minutes. Get information about pricing here.
Outbuildings
Did you know that President Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh? I had no idea! Below is a picture of the believed birthplace, but it was originally located off Fayetteville Street. In 1975 it was moved to it’s current resting place at Historic Mordecai.
The park is also home to lots of other relocated historical sites.
- Cure barn ca. 1840
- Plantation Office ca. 1840
- Ellen Mordecai Garden ca. 1842
- Mordecai Spring
- Allen Kitchen ca. 1842
- Andrew Johnson Birthplace ca. 1800
- Badger Iredell Law Office ca. 1810
- St. Mark’s Chapel ca. 1847
- Bouchall-Danielson House ca. 1917
At the end of the village you will find restroom facilities available for your convenience.
Raleigh Trolley Tours
Located in front of the Mordecai Historic Park is the Raleigh Trolley stop. Styled after Raleigh’s original trolleys from the early 1900s, you can pay for a tour to visit all of Raleigh’s historical sites. Public Tours run most Saturdays, but you will need to visit the website for more information. The historic trolley tour goes by Mordecai Historic Park, Bicentennial Plaza, Joel Lane Museum House, State Government landmarks, and the City Market.
The Raleigh Trolley can also be booked for private events, or you can schedule your own private charter tour. Private tours will focus on one of the following themes: black history, LGBTQ history, Jewish History, women’s history, or the civil war.
If you’re looking for a playground to let the kids burn some energy, try walking two blocks to nearby Mordecai Mini Park.