Vance: Kerr Lake and Regional History

For a trip to Vance, you can focus on different things: the waterscape at Kerr Lake, nature trails, or historical and cultural sites. Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a key point of reference for outdoor activities. It is located in Vance and Warren counties along North Carolina’s north-central border with Virginia.

Kerr Lake: Access Areas, Beach, and Trails

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area includes eight access areas along the shore of a 50,000-acre reservoir. Rather than focusing on just one access area, you can compare the amenities at the named areas. The park also has seven campgrounds with hundreds of campsites; seasonal availability may vary.

Satterwhite Point Access Area is home to the only designated swimming beach at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area. It also has a TRACK Trail and a visitor center. Hibernia Access Area has the Recreation Area’s longest hiking trail. It also has a boat ramp that is open 24 hours a day. Since operating conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check its current status before you arrive. The two access areas therefore differ in their listed features: Satterwhite Point has a beach, trail, and visitor center, while Hibernia has a hiking trail and boat ramp.

Kerr Lake has long been known as a destination for boaters and water skiers. Nature enthusiasts will also find places of interest: several sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail are located at the lake. Kerr Lake has a variety of habitats and is home to hundreds of species. Fox Pond Park offers nature trails; check the facility details again before your trip.

Churches, Museums, and the Region’s History

St. John’s Episcopal Church has two distinct dates in its history: the parish was established in 1746, and the present church building was completed in 1773. St. John’s is the oldest frame church in North Carolina and one of only three surviving church buildings from the colonial era. This historic site lets you distinguish between the founding of the parish and the later completion of the present building.

The Vance County History Museum presents events and artifacts from the history of Vance County. It is located on the second floor of Perry Memorial Library. The Henderson Institute Historical Museum focuses on a different subject: it preserves artifacts, oral and written records, books, photographs, and printed materials about the education of the African American students who attended Henderson Institute. The two museums offer different perspectives on regional history—one through the county’s events and artifacts, the other through the educational history of its former students.

Kittrell’s Springs was the site of North Carolina’s first summer resort. During the American Civil War, it became a makeshift Confederate hospital. The site also has a cemetery where 54 Confederate soldiers are buried; the burials took place between 1864 and 1865. The site’s history thus encompasses both its earlier use as a summer resort and events from the wartime period.

Corbitt History and Events in Henderson

The Corbitt Company produced North Carolina’s first commercially manufactured automobile: the 1907 “Corbitt Motor Buggy.” During World War II, the company delivered 4,000 trucks under a contract. The annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion is held in downtown Henderson and displays vehicles manufactured by the Corbitt Company, which was formerly based in Henderson. If the event is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

For live theater in Henderson and the surrounding region, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center is another place to visit. The venue has 1,000 seats and presents touring Broadway productions. Interstate 85 and U.S. Highway 1 run through Henderson and can help you orient yourself in the city.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Henderson, Hertford County, New Hanover County, Hoke County, Macon County, Alamance, Wilson County, New Hanover County.

Return to the main travel overview: North Carolina.