Quick Answer
- Mulberry Hill is a Federal-style brick estate built around 1810 on the Albemarle Sound southeast of Edenton, one of a small handful of National Register plantation homes in Chowan County still in private hands. It is currently listed at 101 Benbury Dr, Edenton, NC 27932, in the low-to-mid $2 million range.
- The supply of estates like this is fixed. There is no new construction of 1810 Federal architecture. What makes this listing notable is that the historic fabric, the Flemish bond brick, the fireplaces, the original proportions, has been paired with a new roof, updated HVAC, and renovated kitchen and baths, a combination that is genuinely rare at this price point.
Mulberry Hill Plantation sits along the quiet shores of the Albemarle Sound, one of the Albemarle region's most captivating historic estates and an enduring symbol of early American architecture and coastal Carolina heritage. Built around 1810, its stately brick facade, laid in classic Flemish bond, reveals a balanced three-bay composition and a side-hall plan more commonly found in the great coastal homes of the period.
What follows is the full property report: the estate itself, its documented history, the listing details, and an honest picture of what life in Edenton actually looks like for anyone weighing a move here.
Mulberry Hill's brick facade, laid in Flemish bond, with its side-hall plan and Federal-period proportions intact.
Edenton's Highest-Priced Active Listings (August 2026)
Source: active listing data via Realtor.com syndication and REIN MLS, July-August 2026. May differ slightly from full MLS data due to syndication timing.
Chowan County's Landmark Federal & Greek Revival Estates
| Estate | Built | Style | Defining Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry Hill | c. 1810 | Federal | Brick, Flemish bond, side-hall plan, direct Albemarle Sound frontage |
| Athol (Benbury Hall) | c. 1845-57 | Greek Revival | Frame, T-shaped, two-tier rear porches, also near SR 1114 |
| Strawberry Hill | c. 1788 | Georgian/Federal | Frame, center-hall plan, in-town on Church St. rather than waterfront |
All three are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mulberry Hill and Athol are both situated southeast of town off SR 1114; Strawberry Hill sits within Edenton's historic district proper.
The Estate
Inside, graceful proportions, finely detailed woodwork, and historic craftsmanship evoke an era when architecture was both art and legacy. Tall windows frame sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and the broad expanse of the Albemarle Sound, where shifting light across the water lends a sense of tranquility that has defined this landscape for centuries. Each of the home's principal rooms and bedrooms is anchored by its own fireplace, a hallmark of early nineteenth-century design that lends warmth, intimacy, and architectural rhythm throughout the home.
A principal bedroom with its own fireplace and a direct sightline to the Sound.
Recent updates include a new roof, HVAC systems, and beautifully renovated kitchen and bathrooms, ensuring the comforts of contemporary living while preserving the home's historic character and architectural integrity. Approached through tranquil countryside, flanked by an 18-hole golf course, and framed by mature trees, the estate conveys an immediate sense of arrival.
The entry foyer, with original stairwork and a sightline straight through to the water.
Mulberry Hill's setting feels timeless, where open land, expansive skies, and the gentle rhythms of rural eastern North Carolina create a rare sense of privacy and permanence. The grounds, once part of a much larger colonial plantation, retain the pastoral character that has shaped the Albemarle region since the earliest days of settlement.
Owned by the same family for generations, the home's stewardship legacy speaks to the enduring ties between the family and the Edenton community it has watched grow up around it.
Historic Mulberry Hill: A Federal-Era Landmark
Mulberry Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1976, under reference number 76001314, on a listed parcel of roughly six acres southeast of Edenton off SR 1114. The National Register nomination documents it as a two-and-a-half-story, three-bay Federal-style brick dwelling with a side-hall plan and Flemish bond brickwork, a construction style associated with the region's wealthiest early landowners. Local historical records connected to the Edenton Woman's Club's annual home pilgrimage place its construction slightly earlier, around 1798, a common variance for houses of this age where documentary evidence is incomplete.
It stands alongside a small group of Chowan County plantation houses from the same era, including Athol and Strawberry Hill, both also individually listed on the National Register, that collectively define the Federal and Greek Revival architectural record of the Albemarle region. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Mulberry Hill represents an important architectural landmark within Chowan County's historic landscape, and today the property offers a rare opportunity to steward a piece of North Carolina history while enjoying the tranquility of one of the state's most charming coastal regions.
Life in Edenton: The Prettiest Small Town in the South
Known as the "Prettiest Small Town in the South," Edenton is a peaceful waterfront community along the Albemarle Sound with a population of around 4,500 residents. Life here revolves around historic charm, maritime recreation, and a distinctly unhurried, small-town pace.
Historic Architecture & Waterfront Setting
As North Carolina's first colonial capital, Edenton features remarkably preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Landmarks like the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse and the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse anchor the town's historical feel, while life at the mouth of Edenton Bay centers on boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Waterfront parks like Queen Anne Park offer scenic spaces for evening strolls and sunset views.
Pace of Life & Community Culture
Life here moves slowly. Residents tend to know their neighbors, and local events, Friday night concerts in the park, seasonal festivals, and farmers' markets, bring the town together. Edenton attracts a strong mix of retirees seeking a calm coastal climate, along with families drawn to its affordability and safe, quiet streets.
Cost of Living & Housing
Compared to major coastal hubs or the nearby Outer Banks, housing in Edenton remains relatively accessible, with properties ranging from downtown historic homes with classic Southern porches to master-planned golf and waterfront communities such as Albemarle Plantation nearby.
Daily Amenities & Connectivity
Broad Street offers local boutiques, antique shops, diners, and cafes, handling day-to-day needs, though residents typically travel for major big-box shopping. The Outer Banks beaches sit roughly 1.5 hours east, Norfolk and Hampton Roads, Virginia sit about 1.5 hours north, and Raleigh is around 2.5 hours west, making Edenton a genuinely rural, waterfront address rather than a commuter suburb of any of the three.
Considering Mulberry Hill or another historic Albemarle-area property? Peter refers buyers to a trusted local agent who knows Edenton and Chowan County firsthand.
Reach out directly: petertumbas@bhhsne.com or 412-225-0598.
Want the current status on 101 Benbury Dr, or a comparable historic Albemarle-area property? A private inquiry gets you a direct, market-specific read within two business days.
View the current listing for 101 Benbury Dr on Realtor.com →
Weighing Edenton against another Albemarle-region historic town? See our full Bath vs. Edenton comparison →, our Edenton vs. Elizabeth City comparison →, or the complete Edenton, NC real estate guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mulberry Hill Plantation in Edenton, NC?
Mulberry Hill is a Federal-style brick estate built around 1810 southeast of Edenton on the Albemarle Sound in Chowan County. It has a three-bay, side-hall plan with Flemish bond brickwork, a design more typical of the great coastal homes of the period, and it has been in the same family's stewardship for generations.
Is Mulberry Hill Plantation on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. Mulberry Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1976, under reference number 76001314, recognized for its Federal-period architecture and its role in Chowan County's historic landscape.
What does Mulberry Hill Plantation cost?
The property at 101 Benbury Dr, Edenton, NC 27932 has been listed in the low-to-mid $2 million range, among the highest active listing prices in the Edenton market. Buyers should confirm current price and status directly, since both can shift, and listing data can differ slightly from full MLS records due to syndication timing.
What is it like living in Edenton, NC?
Edenton is a small waterfront town of roughly 4,500 residents on the Albemarle Sound, known for preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture, an unhurried pace, and a downtown built around Broad Street. Housing is relatively affordable compared to the Outer Banks, and daily life centers on the water, historic preservation, and a close-knit community calendar.
How far is Edenton from the Outer Banks and other cities?
Edenton sits roughly 1.5 hours from the Outer Banks beaches, about 1.5 hours from Norfolk and Hampton Roads, Virginia, and around 2.5 hours from Raleigh, making it a genuinely rural, waterfront alternative rather than a bedroom community of any of the three.