Celebrate Addy Walker, American Girl, at the Durham site where her story originated

Fact: Addy Walker, the American Girl doll, is based, in part, on the story of a real person who lived in Durham at what is now Historic Stagville in the 1800s

Posted 10:11 p.m. Mar 14, 2018 — Updated 10:11 p.m. Mar 14, 2018

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

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Fact: The fictional story of Addy Walker, the American Girl doll, is based, in part, on the story of a real person who lived in Durham at what is now Historic Stagville in the 1800s.

Addy's story comes partially from the life of Mary Walker, who escaped from Stagville's owners in 1848, according to the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

And, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 7, the Durham historic site will celebrate the fictional character's birthday. A Birthday Party for Addy includes refreshments, games and other activities, including details about the connections between Addy Walker and the history of Stagville.

The event is designed for kids with their parents. Admission is $5 per child (cash or check, only). Tickets will be available at the door.

Historic Stagville is home to one of the largest plantations in Antebellum North Carolina. But don't expect to find Tara, that columned plantation house from "Gone with the Wind," here. The buildings at Stagville, from the 1780s, are more modest, but they still play an important role in the history of North Carolina.

At Stagville, you'll see the Bennehan House side, which also includes a visitors center with restrooms and a small exhibit area and store, and eventually continue down Old Oxford Highway to the slave community, which includes the slave quarters and the Great Barn, which lives up to its name.

Historic Stagville is at 5828 Old Oxford Rd, Durham.

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