Fort Defiance

Beautiful Early American home that has been restored tastefully, with original family heirlooms still present. The tour guide gave us a detailed presentation that took us back to the day when the Lenoir family and Fort Defiance inhabitants roamed the property. It's definitely worth a visit for the beauty of the home, the grounds, and the history. We enjoyed it so much that we will return in the fall when the leaves are turned.

Indigenous history program was thoughtful and comprehensive. Grounds were enjoyable, definitely worth the drive. Lenoir family cemetery is well maintained though some of the monuments are difficult to read. A light spray of D/2 biological solution would gently clean the stones and help preserve them for future visitors.

Spent a wonderful April day at Fort Defiance as a part of the OVTA demonstration of Women at Home. This is such a beautiful place, rich in history and filled with historical antiques and the oldest trees that I have ever been privileged to see. A 380 year old Champion American Beech tree is on the property and a Cypress tree and boxwood that were planted in 1792 by William Lenoir, himself. Do yourself a favor and visit this place. Breathe in the clean air and imagine for yourself, what it would've been like to live here with your 9 children.

This is a historic home that you can tour for a small fee. You can also walk the grounds and admire some very old trees and the gravesites. There is no actual fort here any longer. We just happened by one afternoon and took the house tour with a very nice and knowledgeable volunteer. This place runs on donations so please visit and support them.

Never was able to see it. Website says open Thurs. through Sunday. Drove 30 miles through winding mountain roads on a Thursday (7/31) only to find the entrance gate locked. Update your website! It apparently is only open Sat. and Sun.

This is a great historic site to see, well worth an hour's visit.! I've been on historic site tours for 50 years, and this is one of the best I've been a part of in that time. Sandra was incredibly knowledgeable about the house, grounds, and Lenoir family. There are a large number of contemporary pieces in the house. Be sure and see the 380 year old Beech Tree and the the 250 year old Cypress Tree. If you love historic cemeteries, there is a great one there. The love poem on the white obelisk is so beautiful. If you are a wealthy donor, the house needs a new period friendly roof.

Beautiful historic home, sweet staff, interesting events!

Went today with my husband and his daughter had a great time. Would highly recommend going. There was one thing that happened but I didn’t mention it to my husband until later, when going up stairs to part of house that was built on later I felt a heaviness going upstairs and I was feeling it even more when we reached the top. I asked him if he felt something while we was there and he said yes. Also going into the cemetery I felt that same feeling before going into it. And the people who were actors I feel as if I have seen them before, very familiar. Anyways loved it awesome place. Oh and the picture of that baby boy looked just like my grandson, also I noticed names in cemetery had same last name as me, I am married but maiden name is Moore, never changed my last name. Just go and check it out. And a special thanks for our tour y’all did an awesome job!🙂 Oh and I almost forgot to say tour guide was amazing very knowledgeable and friendly, Thank You 🙏💚

Cool little piece of Lenoir history. You can go there and walk the grounds for free which I highly recommend. It's a beautiful area. If you pay the fee which was $7/person when we went then you will get a guided tour inside the house and learn about the history of William Lenoir, his family and the house he built. I think it's totally worth it if you are into that. Regardless if you do the tour or not it's definitely worth a quick stop to check it out if you are in the area.

Saw a gun and musket but my son got shot and now he looks like a crinkly raisin thanks to you Pic below has his classic catchphrase

This historic place is one of Caldwell County's best kept secrets! If you are a history buff, you must visit this treasure. There are more original pieces (of furniture, bedding, clothing, etc.) than in any other historic places in North Carolina. You will be amazed!!

Wow, what a wonderful tour from Sandra. Well worth the $7 donation. A wonderful history lesson of the area and the Lenoir families. Many original furniture pieces and the original floors were impressive. It is a work in progress as so many other historical sites, but well worth the drive!.

Very educational. I don't get a chance to go much. But it's good if you're a history buff.

Our tour guide at Fort Defiance was very knowledgeable, professional, kind, friendly, and passionate about keeping Fort Defiance attractive for future generations to enjoy. She went to great lengths to make our visit a positive one. As they are not for profit, the admission fee--$6 per person--is very reasonable for the depth of tour. Fort Defiance is looking for volunteers to offset the workload; based on my great tour experience, I'd recommend others with a bit of free time look into working with this not for profit. :)