somerset Place, one of North Carolina's largest antebellum plantations, illustrates what life was like for the people who lived there prior to the Civil War. In its 80 years of operation, Somerset Place grew to over 100,000 acres and employed the forced labor of more than 800 enslaved people. By examining what occurred on and around this plantation during the war, students will see how the conflict and the ultimate emancipation of the enslaved community destroyed the plantation structure.
This education program, designed for 8th grade students, is one in a series that provides comprehensive, site-based learning experiences concerning the state's Civil War history. The program is a stand-alone unit, but its value is multiplied when combined with one or more additional units. Each program contains at least one supplemental lesson plan. These plans work best in support of the on-site activities, but can also be used if a site visit is not possible.
Program Goals
The story of Somerset Place is a component for meeting the following NCSCOS Goals for Social Studies:
- 4.01 Identify and analyze the significance of the causes of secession from the Union, and compare reactions in North Carolina to reactions in other regions of the nation.
- 4.03 Assess North Carolina's role in the Civil War and analyze the social and economic impact of the war on the state.
The story of Somerset Place is a component for meeting the following National Standard for the Social Sciences:
- Standard 2- The course and character of the Civil War and its effects on the American people.
- 2B - The student understands the social experience of the war on the battlefield and homefront.
Program Objectives
- Students will understand how the Civil War affected the lives of the inhabitants and the operations of the plantation at Somerset Place.
- Students will use critical thinking skills and writing skills to analyze primary source documents to learn about circumstances at Somerset Place during the war.
