Built in 1901, this historic house is neither grand nor elaborate in design, but features prominently in the history of Raleigh as the home of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope. Pope is revered as one of the most distinguished, African-American citizens of Raleigh. Not only was he one of the first to graduate from the Leonard School of Medicine at Shaw University, the doctor also participated as an officer in the Spanish-American War, and ran for mayor in 1919. His home is a reflection of his remarkable drive for excellence and was installed with then cutting-edge gadgets like gas and electric fixtures, running water, a telephone, and a call bell system. Today, the house has been transformed into a museum that chronicles the doctor's life and local history through original furnishings, documents, photographs and artifacts that date back as far as 1851. As the only African American house museum in North Carolina, the Pope House is a rare historical treasure that chronicle's the proud history of the state's African Americans. Guided tours of the museum are offered on Saturdays every hour on the hour. The last tour begins at 2p.
Website: raleighnc.gov
Phone: (919) 996-2220
Cross Streets: Near the intersection of S Wilmington St and Stronachs Aly
Open now
- Tue 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
511 S Wilmington St Raleigh, NC 27601-1860 ·160.77 mi
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Amenities
- Family friendly
Reviews
tripadvisor
Small, but very interesting. Well worth a visit. If you go on Saturday, the parking garage nearby is free.
MoreThe Pope House Museum is the only African-American house museum in the state of North Carolina. Although the house is not a museum in the traditional sense, it does provide a glimpse into the life of one of the most prominent Africa Americans in Raleigh. Dr. Manassa Pope earned his undergraduate degree from Shaw University in 1865 and went on to graduate from the Leonard Medical School in 1886 becoming the first African American to become a licensed physician in North Carolina. Dr. Pope distinguished himself in many other endeavors including running for mayor of Raleigh, serving as assistant postmaster, and he was an active businessman. The house, built in 1901, features original furnishings and many historical artifacts giving awareness into an extraordinary man and his family. The house had the latest technology of the time including a combination gas and electric fixtures, a kitchen with running water, a full bathroom on the second floor, coal burning heating stoves, and a telephone. While all this may seem second nature to us today. The house is not only a marvel but also reflects Dr. Pope’s prominence in the south during a period of dep racial divide. Staff and volunteers are still in the process of cataloging artifacts and furnishing the house with the thousands of items preserved by Dr. Pope’s descendants. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is only open on Saturdays from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. All tours are guided and las about 30 minutes depending upon questions. Admission is free.
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