Our History
Built in 1915 and tripled by its most famous owner
James Buchanan Duke, The Duke Mansion has been home and
host to leaders of the 20th century. Duke’s most lasting
legacies, including Duke University, Duke Energy and
the Duke Endowment, took shape at the home. Listed on
the National Register of Historic Places, The Mansion
is now operated as a nonprofit with all proceeds being
used to preserve and protect this community treasure.
1915: The Duke Mansion |
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The home is built by Zeb Taylor in the newly created Myers Park Neighborhood.
It remains one of the finest examples of Colonial Revival Architecture. |
1919: Doris Duke |
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In order to introduce his beloved daughter, Doris, to life in the South, North
Carolina entrepreneur James B. "Buck" Duke purchases the home and triples
it in size. Renowned Charlotte residential architect C.C. Hook designs the
Dukes’ renovation. It serves as a home base for him as his business grows. |
1919: Buck Duke's Water Fountain |
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Buck Duke believes that hydroelectric power can change the struggling economies
of the Carolinas. He has a fascination for fountains, and builds water pipes
to carry water from the Catawba River. |
1924: James B. Duke |
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Working in the mansion solarium, Mr. Duke envisions an endowment for the betterment
of his community. Today, the Duke Endowment invests more than $100 million
annually in worthy causes across the Carolinas. |
1929: Martin L. Cannon |
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Mr. and Mrs. Martin L. Cannon purchase the home, renaming it White Oaks. Their
daughter, Frances, celebrates her wedding at The Mansion. In
attendance is a former beau of Miss Cannon's - John F. Kennedy. |
1949 |
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In the first of many efforts to protect the home,
the Cannons leave it to the protection of Myers Park Presbyterian
Church. The Cannons continue to live in the home until 1957. |
1957 |
Henry and Clayton Lineberger, a textile family
from Belmont, purchase the home and restore it to its previous splendor.
The chandelier in the dining room, which remains today, is a Christmas
present from Mr. Lineberger to Mrs.Lineberger. |
1966: The Lineberger Living Room |
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The Duke Mansion suffers a huge fire, gutting the third floor. The house is likely
moments away from complete destruction. The Linebergers restore the home
after the fire. |
1974 |
The Junior League begins discussions with the Lineberger
family about the future of The Duke Mansion. In an effort to secure
the future of the property, when Mr. Lineberger dies in 1976, it
is left to the Duke Endowment. |
1977 |
The home is placed on the local, state and national
registries of historic places. The Junior League leads an effort
to create a useful life for The Mansion as a small meeting center.
While members of the Duke, Cannon and Lineberger families and the
broader community are supportive, the change is not supported by
all neighbors. The effort fails, and the property is sold. |
1978 |
A plan to cut the home into five condominiums
is developed. In 1988, a plan to add a sixth condominium inside the
house and to subdivide the property into four houses is launched. |
1989 |
Rick and Dee Ray, owners of Raycom, a sports media
company, consider buying one of the condominiums. Instead, the Rays
decide to preserve The Mansion and purchase the entire house and
the subdivided lots. They begin a painstaking process of restoring
it to a grand single-family home. |
1996 |
In discussion with the Rays, Duke Power Company
leads an effort to permanently protect The Mansion. The Lynnwood
Foundation, a nonprofit, is established to preserve The Duke Mansion
and create a leadership institute. The Rays sell the house to the
foundation, and an ambitious capital campaign is launched. |
1997 |
The leadership institute is named in honor of
William S. Lee, a former Duke Power CEO and beloved community leader.
The Lee Institute begins a program of training and transforming leaders
and communities. |
1998 |
The spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Duke is revived at the
Grand Opening of The Mansion as a historic inn & meeting center
and is celebrated by 300 supporters of the broad-based effort to
save it for generations to come. |
2000 |
On April 7, Duke Energy makes a $4.5 million "Transformational
Gift" to help the foundation become debt-free. To honor the
company's civic spirit, the Charlotte Region Chapter of the American
Leadership Forum is dedicated to Duke Energy through 2010.
The Colonnade Society, a group of leaders who provide
significant annual suuport, is launched.
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2003 |
The Preservation Society hosts its first annual
Gala and Auction to support the protection of The Mansion, raising
$50,000. |
2005 |
Happy Ninetieth Birthday Duke Mansion.
The Duke Mansion is accepted into Select Registry and is rated as a
Four Diamond Property by AAA. |
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