Historic Homes of Chapel Hill
information provided by the Chapel Hill Historic Society

The Kennette House

This large Victorian house on East Franklin was built by Charles Baskerville, a member of the chemistry department, on University land in 1897. Its exterior was changed from purple to a bright yellow during renovations in 1999, the same year it was on The Chapel Hill Preservation Society's Christmas House Tour.

The Old Presbyterian Manse

The lot for this house was bought in October 1793, but the house was not believed to be built until the late 1840's. It is from this house that Cornelia Spencer ran to ring the bell signifying the reopening of the University after the Civil War.

The President's House

This house on the corner of Raleigh and Franklin St. was bought by the University in 1835. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1907 and has become the residence of the current President of the University.

Widow Puckett House

The Widow Puckett on East Franklin Street is considered the oldest house in Chapel Hill and was built by John Puckett and his wife. It dates back to his years as Chapel Hill's postmaster circa 1799.

The Horace Willams House

First known as the "Hexagon House" this house's origins are before the Civil War. Today it is The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill's headquarters and is the only historic house open to the pubic.