The White House

For more than 17 years, The White House on Freedom Way, also known as the Taylor Home, has welcomed guests seeking a stay rooted in history, nature, and genuine hospitality. This owner-operated guest house remains in the care of a family whose connection to the land spans nearly 200 years, offering guests a rare opportunity to experience a place shaped by generations.

The current owner and host is both a family steward and a military veteran, bringing a deep sense of service, respect, and care to the guest experience. This spirit of service reflects the home’s long relationship with the surrounding military community and its close proximity to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.

The home itself is a testament to vision and craftsmanship. Built beginning in the 1950s by Norman Taylor Sr., the White House was constructed without formal plans—created instead from imagination, skill, and determination, using little more than a hammer, a saw, and a clear vision. Today, that legacy lives on in a historic home that feels personal, soulful, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Set on an extraordinary 22-acre nature sanctuary and budding food forest, the property offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from the beaches of the Southern Outer Banks, including Swansboro, Bear Island, and Emerald Isle. Guests enjoy the rare combination of coastal convenience and immersive natural beauty.

At the heart of the home is the welcoming Home & Garden–style common kitchen, fully equipped and thoughtfully stocked with essentials and local touches. Guests are invited to enjoy fresh eggs from the resident chickens, herbs, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown on the property, along with a well-appointed spice selection for shared meals and quiet mornings.

Outdoors, the sanctuary comes alive with the sounds of songbirds, chickens, and birds of prey, while deer and other wildlife move freely through the landscape. Rocking chairs, porch swings, fire pits, BBQ areas, and miles of private woodland trails offer a true “national forest” experience—wild, untamed, and deeply restorative (explored at one’s own risk).

With its blend of history, military service, nature, and heartfelt stewardship, The White House on Freedom Way is more than a place to stay—it is a place to slow down, reconnect, and experience a way of life shaped by land, family, and time.