Press Room

5 NC Hotels with History by Vanessa Infanzon

Many of North Carolina’s historic homes, some built more than 150 years ago, have been transformed into luxury accommodations for travelers. The stewards of these properties — couples, families and corporations— embarked on restoration projects underscoring the historical significance of the buildings. “These buildings tell stories,” says Myrick Howard, president emeritus for Preservation North Carolina, a nonprofit based in Raleigh that “rescues” endangered historic properties. “The stories for each one are interesting and complicated. When the buildings are gone, the stories are gone too.”

While guests enjoy spa treatments, fine dining and lush gardens, Howard suggests also learning about the home: what changes were made, what was kept the same and who was involved in its design. The stories may surprise you. “We can use these buildings to learn a whole lot more about our history, our society and how we got to where we are,” Howard says. “And that covers race and gender and class and all sorts of ways of looking at history.”

The Fearrington House

Pittsboro, built in 1927

Over the last 50 years, R.B. Fitch and his late wife Jenny Fitch developed Fearrington Farm into a village with brick walkways leading to an independent bookstore, café, spa and boutiques.

The farm’s colonial-style home became The Fearrington House Restaurant in 1980. The chef-led tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, and prix-fixe four- and seven-course dinners are served in rooms overlooking the picturesque Knot Garden and Garden Terrace. The bar’s Late Bloomer — a floral cocktail made with gin, citrus and cucumber — won the 2024 Cocktail Trophy from Relais & Chateaux.

The Fearrington House Inn debuted in 1986. Its 32 rooms and suites offer decadent amenities, such as heated bathroom floors and towel bars and turn-down service. Linens and bedding like those in the rooms are also available for purchase at the village shops. Guests enjoy a full breakfast, from eggs and bacon to pancakes and steel-cut oatmeal. The sunroom and garden house, with views of Jenny’s Garden and the Knot Garden, are available to inn guests for relaxing, reading and meeting up.

Wine tastings at The Belted Goat, the village’s café, are every Saturday from 1-3 p.m. and are free and open to the public. McIntyre’s Books, listed in Southern Living as one of 15 most beautiful places in North Carolina, hosts author events and story time every week for children. Curl up in the Literature Room’s cozy seating with a book recommendation from the staff.

2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro
fearrington.com/the-fearrington-house-inn

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