Visit Island Farm on Roanoke Island | History, Animals, and Agriculture

Visit Island Farm, a living history site that tells the story of the everyday Outer Bankers that lived on Roanoke Island in the 1850s. Here, an island family experienced the impacts of the Civil War, performed harrowing rescues as members of the US Life-Saving Service, and assisted the Wright Brothers in their dream of achieving powered flight, all while feeding chickens, fishing the sounds, and growing corn for grinding at the windmill.

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Events & Experiences at Island Farm

View upcoming programs, annual events, and daily experiences you can find right here at Island Farm!

Events & Experiences

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Island Farm History

Island Farm’s roots date back to the 1700s when Adam Etheridge leased 1,500 acres of land. Learn more about Island Farm’s past over the last centuries.

Learn About Island Farm

Island Farm Field Trips

We welcome school groups. We have special programs tailored to their needs; programs are professionally developed and align with NC state standards for education.

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Reasons to Explore Island Farm in Manteo

Island Farm

4.8

Based on 270 reviews

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Tricia Swoope

20:26 06 Oct 24

So much fun! Great fall festival and pumpkin patch!If you haven't been, you need to go!

Ron Just Digging Life

20:38 03 Oct 24

Wow, beautiful place and people are so friendly. Lots of history and great people. Wife loved the horses.

Amy P

03:12 31 Aug 24

Unforgettable experience. This place is very special. The staff is all magnificent. Theyre absolutely lovely human beings with a passion for curation and history. The grounds are breathtakingly beautiful, don't get me started on the tree.... That tree has seen some STUFF! We ended up here by pure chance and I am so happy we did. Can't recommend it enough.

Lisa Peterson

03:01 26 Jul 24

Really nice place to visit. Independently owned and admission helps with maintaining the buildings. Great staff was very knowledgeable about the history of the time and area. Our granddaughter loved how the staff interacted with us, and she was able to feed the chickens and swing on a swing that was attached to a 500 yr old tree! She also learned a lot about how the family lived, and she was able to help spin some wool. A definite go to if you're in the area

Jason Walker

20:00 05 Jul 24

Great experience. Very informative

Jason Walker

20:00 05 Jul 24

Great experience. Very informative

Sandy Price

19:16 05 Jul 24

Great historic location with living museum elements. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Sandy Price

19:16 05 Jul 24

Great historic location with living museum elements. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Ruth Ann Copley

04:59 14 Apr 24

One of the most enjoyable recent historic house visits that we've experienced thanks to all the interpreters who were so cordial and informative as they went about their farm tasks. We loved the collards we sampled and came away with freshly made corn shuck dolls.

Katherine Robinson

06:00 09 Apr 24

We enjoyed our visit. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Kids enjoyed historic games, dressing up and seeing animals.