Poplar Grove Foundation

Poplar Grove is one of the last remaining plantation complexes open to the public in southeastern North Carolina and within the National Park Service's Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. It was formerly a sweet potato and peanut plantation owned by the Foy family for six generations from 1795 to 1971, producing peanuts from the agricultural skills of the Gullah Geechee people, shipped as far north as New York City.Today, Poplar Grove achieves its mission by: 1) reflecting upon the practices of a self-sustaining farm, slavery, tenant farming, legislation, technology, and the heritage arts2) promoting of the values and traditions of local communities and cultural landscapes as it reflects past, present and future human activity3) initiating meaningful dialogue that builds upon the values of respect, empathy, cultural diversity, multiple perspectives, and democratic principles4) sharing the significance and spirit of place as a shared resource by preserving the natural habitat and architectural harmony indigenous to the lower Cape Fear region.The Foundation achieved its exempt purpose in the past fiscal year by operating the historic manor house museum complex, conducting tours and holding events that create awareness of the region's history and allow Poplar Grove to be a venue for its educational, conservational and preservational efforts. The Poplar Grove Plantation venue is used for community events, a farmer's market, a farm animal stables and educational events.

The Poplar Grove Foundation's direct charitable activity consists of operating Poplar Grove plantation. Built in 1850, the plantation is listed on the national register of historic places. The plantation is operated in such a way as to demonstrate the lifestyle and activities of the local community in the 19th century. Operations include a blacksmith's shop, stables with live farm animals, including goats, sheep, chickens, ponies, and pigs. There are also craft demonstrations (such as blacksmithing, basket-making, weaving) and tours of the historic manor house. In fulfilling its mission of education, the grounds are frequently used to host local community events such as the weekly farmers market, exhibits regarding gullah culture, and food truck events to raise awareness of its equine rescue and foster program. Approximately 7,500 visitors purchase tickets to the guided tours of the plantation and upwards of 50,000 visitors from local and regional communities attend our annual events o

The mission of Poplar Grove Foundation, Inc., is conservation, education and preservation. Poplar Grove is the focal point of the scotts hill community, providing school and overnight programs, exhibits and lecture series, and annual fundraising events. We also host a weekly farmers market, which provides a retail outlet for local growers and producers to sell their goods directly to consumers, promotes local farmers and the use of local products, and educates consumers on conservation practice. There is also an animal sanctuary representing 19th century farm life, including an equine rescue program, which rescues, rehabilitates and educates the public on equine abuse and neglect.

Daily guided tours of the manor house not only preserve the history of the foy family household, including its slave holdings, but also seek to educate the public about the struggles of african american emancipation and education, from the civil war to civil rights. The plantation demonstrates the lifestyle of the farming community in the 19th century. Visitors may observe blacksmithing, basket-making, and weaving demonstrations from that time period as well as visit the farm museum complex, such as the agricultural building, smokehouse, tenant house, kitchen and herb cellar.