Inside Johnston County’s Past: New Bus Tours Explore Historic Homes, Churches, And Schools

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – The Johnston County Committee for America250NC will offer a series of guided bus tours in May highlighting historic homes, churches, and African American heritage sites across the county.

The first tour is scheduled for May 16 and will feature interior visits to White Oak (the Sanders-Hairr House) in Cleveland Township, the C.T. Johnson House—now known as the Grande Magnolia—in Benson, and the Atkinson-Smith House, also called the House of Harmony, in the Brogden community.

“This is a unique opportunity to see up close the remarkable architecture and craftsmanship of some of Johnston County’s oldest and grandest homes,” said tour conductor Todd Johnson. “Each one has a fascinating story.”

On May 23, the second tour will focus on African American history in the county. Stops will include interior tours of the Boyette Slave House near Kenly, Bentonville Disciples Church, and the Johnston County Training School gymnasium in Smithfield, now known as the Reginald Ennis Pavilion. The tour will also include drive-by visits to Princeton Graded School and the Smithfield Freedmen’s Schoolhouse, both currently under restoration.

Dr. Chris Wyckoff will serve as narrator for the May 23 tour.

The final tour on May 30 will highlight church architecture and history, with visits to Hannah’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church near Benson, Benson Baptist Church, Horne Memorial United Methodist Church in Clayton, and Elizabeth United Methodist Church near Smithfield. Todd Johnson will lead the tour.

All tours will depart at 9:30 a.m. from the Johnston County Heritage Center, 241 E. Market St., Smithfield, and will conclude by 3 p.m.

Tickets are $38 and include a box lunch. They may be purchased online at https://www.johnstonnc.gov/America250/bustours or in person at the Johnston County Museum, 329 E. Market St., Smithfield, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the Johnston County Museum at 919-938-5912 or visit www.johnstonnc.gov/America250.