Cameron Home, Durham NC, 1802: Historic Architecture

This vintage photograph features the historic Cameron home located in Durham County, North Carolina. Built in 1802, the residence showcases architectural elements typical of its era, including a portico and a distinctive layout with a separate kitchen and a three-story structure. The first level served for cooking, while the upper floors accommodated weaving.

In addition to dwelling spaces, this property also housed a blacksmith shop and a law office, illustrating the multifunctional nature of early plantation life. The plantation chapel, still standing today, adds to the historical significance of the site, which is named after a Scottish county, reflecting the heritage of the family that built it.

This image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a project aimed at documenting significant structures in the region. It was published in Thomas Tileston Watermans The Early Architecture of North Carolina in 1941.

KNOWOLs historic images connect the rich stories and imagery of our past. A statement in any room, each is printed on museum-quality paper using a restored version of the original.