Liberty Hall (Kenansville, North Carolina)

Liberty Hall in Kenansville, North Carolina, United States, is a historic plantation house. It is now one of North Carolina's museums.

The first Liberty Hall was built by Thomas Kenan in the late 1730s. This home was located on what was then called Turkey Branch Plantation near the present town of Turkey, North Carolina. Thomas Kenan was the first Kenan to emigrate to the United States, sailing from Ireland in 1736 and arriving in Wilmington, North Carolina that same year. Thomas Kenan lived on this plantation until his death in 1766. His wife Elizabeth Johnson Kenan continued to live in the old place until her death in 1789 at which time it passed to their son Gen. James Kenan who named the home Liberty Hall due to the many political meetings and gatherings that took place during this in American history. This first Liberty Hall was furnished with many pieces brought over from Europe and also contained several American pieces in particular a few choice North Carolina pieces. This home burned to the ground prior to 1800; however, several furnishings were saved.

In the late 18th century, Thomas S Kenan built the present Liberty Hall in Kenansville. In 1833 he and his wife, Mary Rand of Raleigh and their two youngest children moved to Selma Alabama where he died in 1860. Owen Rand Kenan; Thomas and Mary Rand's oldest son stayed behind and have his own plantation and family. Owen Rand married Sarah Rebecca Graham and made Liberty Hall their home. They did make a few structural changes including adding two porches and attaching the Kitchen to the house. Owen Rand and Sarah had four children, James Graham Kenan, William Rand Kenan, Thomas S Kenan and Annie D. Kenan. All the children were well educated and enjoyed playing music. There were constant visitors and guests at Liberty Hall, and the motto that became associated with the house once hung as a needle point in the hallway "he who enters these open gates never comes too early or leaves too late".

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