When planning your Outer Banks adventure, Island Farm in Manteo deserves a prime spot on your itinerary. This enchanting destination transports visitors back to the 19th century, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of the region.
With its beautifully preserved buildings, engaging demonstrations, and interactive activities, Island Farm offers a unique opportunity to experience the everyday life of early island settlers. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or as a solo explorer, the stories and experiences waiting for you here will deepen your appreciation for the Outer Banks’ heritage and charm. Don’t miss the chance to step into history and create lasting memories at this captivating site!.
To help you plan your trip to this historic coastal farm, we’ve created this quick guide with everything you need to know to plan your next visit.
About Island Farm in Manteo
- Address: 1140 N US Highway 64, Manteo, NC
- Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday; March – December (check seasonal hours)
Located just outside of Manteo on Roanoke Island, the Island Farm is a living history site that tells the story of 19th century coastal farming life. Centered around the Etheridge Homestead built by Adam Etheridge in 1847, the Island Farm features a collection of restored buildings and farm equipment giving visitors a glimpse at the daily life and agriculture practices during the mid-1800s.
Among the earliest of the settlers in the area, the Etheridge family took part in many different family activities, including growing a variety of crops and raising livestock. The homestead itself was not only a family residence but also served as a hub for community gatherings and local trades.
The effort to restore the farm began in the mid-20th century and culminated in it being opened to the public in 2010. Today visitors are welcome to explore grounds and experience firsthand what life was like on this 19th century coastal farm.
Why Visit?
An Outer Banks Education
The Island Farm offers a unique opportunity to learn about 19th century farming and lifestyle. Exploring the restored Etheridge homestead also provides great insight into the history and culture of the Outer Banks.
The live demonstrations and workshops offer a glimpse at historic practices and foster an appreciation of the resilience and ingenuity of early Outer Bankers. A visit to the Island Farm is truly an immersive experience connecting visitors with the rich historical and agricultural heritage of Roanoke Island.
Family-Friendly
This historic attraction is an engaging experience for all ages. Through a variety of hands-on activities and live demonstrations, visitors of all ages can experience what life was like on this 18th century coastal farm. interactive and immersive learning environment.
The open, expansive grounds are the perfect place for families to explore and kids to run and play. There are also lots of outdoor games and simple playground features like tree swings and seesaws for little ones to enjoy.
Connection to Nature
Beyond immersing visitors in coastal history, this serene farm setting also provides the perfect opportunity to connect with nature. The farm’s grounds are bordered with woodlands and wetlands, providing the perfect Outer Banks backdrop.
Throughout the farm, you’ll spot a variety of native flora and perhaps even some native wildlife sampling the farm’s bountiful gardens. The programs and workshops at the Island Farm emphasize the importance of conservation and the interdependence between early settlers and the natural world.
Support Historical Preservation
The Outer Banks Conservationists (OBC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Outer Banks, including the Island Farm, primarily led the restoration efforts of the Island Farm.
By restoring the Etheridge Homestead and surrounding structures, the OBC preserved the rich agricultural and cultural heritage of the region. Working together, the Island Farm and OBC continue to engage visitors in educational activities and events that highlight the importance of conserving the area’s history.
What to See & Do at Manteo’s Island Farm
Explore the Farm in a Self Guided Tour
Take a step back in time by wandering through this restored 19th-century coastal farm. You can explore the multiple buildings and structures lining the property, including the farmhouse, cookhouse, windmill, smokehouse, dairy, barns, black ship shop, corn crib, woodshed, and even the 3-seater outhouse complete with dried corn for toilet paper!
Throughout your journey through the property, you’ll encounter several interpreters dressed in period attire who will enthusiastically share their knowledge of the farm and its history.
Experience Hands On Activities
You’ll find a number of hands-on activities throughout the farm, from swinging from the branches of an ancient live Oak tree on a wooden swing to playing 18th-century yard games in front of the original house. You’ll also find period garb for children to try on and even a fun scavenger hunt they can participate in.
Special activities are also frequently scheduled. You can learn to make a 19th century rag doll with a corn husk, or turn sheep’s wool into clothing just as the early islanders did. Be sure to visit the events calendar for the farm to learn about dates and times for special programs.
Watch Live Demonstrations
On your visit, you can also catch a number of live demonstrations. For example, you can watch a blacksmith forge an iron horseshoe, see settlers working in the garden, or observe as crops are gathered from the gardens.
You may also have the opportunity to take an ox-drawn wagon ride around the farm or watch as a settler cooks over an open hearth. No matter when you visit, you’re sure to find an engaging live demonstration to help you learn about the history of the region’s early settlers.
Interact with Wildlife
On the property, you’ll find a number of animals that would’ve been found at an early island homestead. There are sheep, chickens, a cow, and a couple of retired Banker ponies who once roamed the shores of Corolla as wild horses.
Children are welcome to pet the animals and even have the opportunity to help collect eggs from the chicken coop. The friendly staff on site will also eagerly explain the role livestock played in 19th century farm life.
Enjoy Seasonal Activities
Special seasonal activities are offered throughout the year, but the coming fall and winter months are particularly well known for their special events.
- During the month of October, the farm hosts a Pumpkin Patch on Saturdays, complete with the sights, sounds, and tastes of fall on the OBX.
- November brings the annual Garden to Heath celebration of fall and the Thanksgiving holiday, where visitors can observe interpreters cooking over the hearth and preparing for the winter months.
- In December, the farm hosts Christmas on the North End, focusing on the early holiday traditions of island families in the mid-1800s.
Stay Near Manteo’s Island Farm
When you want to be immersed in Outer Banks history, there’s no better place to visit than the Island Farm. It’s the perfect day trip for a family, allowing you to step back in time and experience life as an early Outer Banker.
Start planning your next trip and add this one to the itinerary. Contact us today, and we’ll set you up in the perfect oceanfront rental. On your next Outer Banks vacation, you can soak up the sun and some coastal history.