Our Story

Built in 1915 and tripled by its most famous owner James Buchanan Duke, Duke Mansion has been home and host to leaders of the 20th century. Duke’s most lasting legacies, including Duke University, Duke Energy and Duke Endowment, took shape at the home. We’re a nonprofit historic inn, gardens and meeting place in the heart of Charlotte. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a century of history and hospitality is behind everything we do.

a black and white photo of the exterior of Duke Mansion

1915: Duke Mansion

The home is built by Zeb Taylor in the newly created Myers Park Neighborhood. It remains a fine example of Colonial Revival Architecture.

1919: Buck Duke’s Water Fountain

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.

a black and white photo of a fountain shooting water

1924: James B. Duke

Working in the mansion solarium, Mr. Duke envisions an endowment for the betterment of his community. Today, The Duke Endowment invests more than $200 million million annually in worthy causes across the Carolinas.

a black and white photo of a man leaning on a desk

1926

After Buck Duke’s death in 1925, Mr. C.C. Coddington, owner of the local Buick dealership and of radio station WBT, purchases Duke Mansion. He and his three boys live in the Mansion until his untimely death.

a black and white photo of Martin L Cannon

1929: Martin L. Cannon

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

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 make it a place of beauty with exceptional antiques, art and furnishings. The chandelier in the dining room, which remains today, is a Christmas present from Mr. Lineberger to Mrs.Lineberger.

black and white photo of the Lineberger Living Room at Duke Mansion

1966: The Lineberger Living Room

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 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 divide 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

Dee and Rick Ray along with the leadership of Duke Power Company lead an effort to permanently protect Duke Mansion. The Lynnwood Foundation, a nonprofit, is established to preserve 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. 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 Duke 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 support, is launched.

2003

The Preservation Society hosts its first annual Gala and Auction to support the protection of Duke Mansion, raising $50,000.

2005

Happy Ninetieth Birthday Duke Mansion!

Duke Mansion is accepted into Select Registry and is rated as a Four Diamond Property by AAA.

2008

Efforts to permanently protect Duke Mansion include the establishment of an endowment.

black and white photo of Duke Mansion in the past

2012

100th Anniversary Campaign is launched with a goal to raise $5 million for capital improvements and to increase the endowment for Duke Mansion and Lee Institute.

2014

First new gardens are dedicated as part of 100th Anniversary celebration.

2015

Happy 100th Birthday, Duke Mansion!
A year’s worth of events and celebrations along with more new garden spaces.

Learn More About Duke Mansion