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Built in 1854 for William Hastings and his family, the house served as the pre-battle command office for Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and General Braxton Bragg. Together in these rooms, they planned to engage General William Tecumseh Sherman at the Battle of Bentonville in March 1865. Johnston's troops were outnumbered 4 to 1, and he was defeated and his troops retreated from the village of Bentonville on March 21, 1865. This would be the last major Confederate offensive of the Civil War, which ended barely three weeks later with Lee's surrender in Appomattox on April 9th.

The house is particularly interesting from an architectural as well as historical viewpoint. Downstairs the room on the left displays artifacts related to the period of the home, and upstairs a bedroom is set up with furniture and belongings from the Hastings family. The house is available for tours during the office hours of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, whose office is housed in the historic home.

The Hastings House is a stop along the Carolina Campaigns Civil War Trail in Johnston County, as well as, the Historic Smithfield Walking Tour. Located in Downtown Smithfield along the scenic Neuse River visitors to Downtown Smithfield can enjoy hiking, history, shopping, events, and more.