Aycock was born into a rural home here in Wayne County in 1859. Interested in politics from his youth, Aycock began to practice law and move up in the Democratic Party after graduating from the University of North Carolina. In 1900 he was elected governor and dedicated himself to improving public education in North Carolina. By the time he left office four years later, one school had been built fo
r each day the governor was in office. Today a typical schoolhouse of the period stands on the site. Found off the beaten path, two miles south of Fremont, the historic site features a mid-19th-century farmstead, including a house, kitchen, and outbuildings. A corn barn and stables recall the days when men worked the land. Sheep and fowl, a field crop, and a three-season kitchen garden bring the farm to life. A one-room schoolhouse (1893) moved to the site represents the grassroots educational revival that became statewide after Governor Aycock's election in 1900. An accessible visitor center features exhibits and an audiovisual program.
