Duke Mansion celebrates 100 years in Charlotte

The Duke Mansion is celebrating 100 years in Charlotte with a free history talk. The event has sold out.

The discussion will be held on March 15 and will feature descendants of the families who lived in the mansion, event organizers said. Participants will include:

▪  Sayre Lineberger, daughter of Henry and Clayton Lineberger. The Linebergers purchased the mansion in 1957 and Sayre grew up there. The family re-built the mansion after a massive fire destroyed the top floor in the 1960s.

▪  Phil Johnston, descendant of C.C. Coddington. Coddington owned WBT Radio and bought the mansion in 1925 as his family’s home.

▪  Jim Cannon, grandson of Martin Cannon. Cannon purchased the mansion in 1929. His daughter Frances celebrated her wedding there and her former beau, John F. Kennedy, showed up.

▪  Dee Ray, who with her husband, Rick, purchased the mansion in 1989. The mansion had been divided into condos. The Rays considered buying one of the condos but decided to purchase the entire home and live there. Their decision saved the mansion.

Today, the mansion is a non-profit bed-and-breakfast inn, meeting place, and setting for weddings, anniversary dinners and other special events.

Famous people who have lived, visited, or stayed at the mansion include Bill Clinton, Mitt Romney, John F. Kennedy and the cast of Homeland. In fact, the mansion served as the vice president’s house in that TV series, according to event organizers.

Anyone may stroll the mansion grounds for free.

This story was originally published March 10, 2015 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Duke Mansion celebrates 100 years in Charlotte."