President James K. Polk North Carolina State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, pays tribute to our 11th president and presents living history that brings the late 18th and early 19th centuries to life.
James K. Polk was born here in 1795 and lived here with his family until he was 11 years old.
The site includes a visitor center with a small museum that sheds light on backcountry life during the time that Polk lived here, and also his presidency.
There are also three reconstructed buildings on site — the Polk family’s main cabin house, the kitchen and a building for storing food. There’s also a kitchen garden, which accurately represents what a Carolina backcountry kitchen garden would look like during Polk’s childhood.
It’s free to visit the site and the museum.
Tours of the house and kitchen are are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors (65+) and $1 for youth ages 3-17.
Please keep reading for information on ongoing tatting demonstrations and hearth cooking demonstrations.
Tatting Demonstrations
Michele, a volunteer, tatts in the visitor center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday and Friday. The website says Thursdays, but Michele told us she’s doing it Fridays too. If you want to make sure before you head out, please call them at 704-889-7145.
Tatting is a delicate, durable form of handmade lace created by forming rings and chains using knots (half-hitches) on a shuttle or needle. Tatting is a craft first documented in the early 19th century.
Upcoming Events
Historic Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Eggs & Greens
Saturday, March 28, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free
Historic hearth cooks will demonstrate the practice of cooking in the 1800s backcountry. The cooks will be making asparagus, macaroni and cheese, onion pie and eggs.
Historic Heart Cooking Demonstration: Spring Sweets
Saturday, April 25, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free
Historic hearth cooks will be making carrot pudding, lemon cream with shortbread and a buttered apple pie.
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:President James K. Polk Historic Site
12031 Lancaster Hwy
Pineville, NC 704-889-7145
