LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Polk Memorial (NC Historic Site)

A congressman for the state of Tennessee and President of the United States, James K. Polk was a native of the state of North Carolina. This historic site celebrates his life and accomplishments.

Preview your trip on the web: Polk Memorial (NC Historic Site)

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  • Lesson plan: Learn about your county This activity will allow fourth grade students in North Carolina to learn more about the counties that surround their home county. Using online images, students will create a multimedia presentation to share with others.
  • American President.org Provides a rich history of the presidency and it presidents, including biographies of key figures such as the first ladies and cabinet members. Additionally find information on presidential responsibilities, his offices, and his resources.
  • Presidents pathfinder A pathfinder of websites that provide a background of the lives and times of the presidents of the United States.

Related pages

  • Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson: Provides information about the North Carolina historic site where the town of Brunswick was razed by British troops.
  • Vance Birthplace (NC Historic Site): Learn about the birthplace of Zebulon Baird Vance and his famous mountain family on this site.
  • Old Wilkes Walking Tour: Touring Old Wilkesboro gives students insight into the town's past. Historic refurbished buildings with authentic artifacts show what life in Wilkesboro was like from the 1700s to the present.

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The 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk, was born in 1795 on a 250-acre farm and spent most of his childhood on this land. The log buildings have been reconstructed and their furnishings are not original to the Polk homestead but are period pieces that date from the early 1800s.

The memorial commemorates significant events in the Polk administration: the Mexican War, settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, and the annexation of California. The Visitor Center features a film on Polk’s life and civic contributions.

The Polk Memorial is open Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. Guided tours of the main house and kitchen are provided and organized groups should make reservations. For more information call (704) 889-7145 or send email to polk@ncmail.net.

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