History
Visiting the President James K. Polk State Historic Site
What the Polk site interprets, what's original and what isn't, and how to plan a visit with official information.
By Pineville Living Editors · Published
Who James K. Polk was
James K. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County in 1795 and served as the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. His single term saw the U.S.–Mexican War and the acquisition of vast western territory. He and his family were slaveholders — a part of the history that the state's interpretation addresses.
What you'll find
North Carolina Historic Sites operates the site on land associated with the Polk family farm. A visitor center holds exhibits, and the grounds include log buildings from the period. Those buildings are interpretive — they are not the original Polk home, which no longer exists. We think that honesty makes the visit more interesting, not less.
Planning
Hours, admission, tours, accessibility and programs are published by NC Historic Sites. Check before you go, and contact the site with accessibility questions. Pineville Living is independent and has no affiliation with the site.