Brunswick Town State Historic Site / Fort Anderson
Winnabow
Archaeological excavations have unearthed the colonial port town of Brunswick. These excavations are exposed for viewing as well as a visitor center complete with audio visual programming, exhibits, and artifacts. See the extravagant St. Philips Anglican Church walls, as well as a nearby graveyard where many prominent citizens of the 18th century are buried. The 19th century confederate fortification - Fort Anderson is well preserved. Here you will see the large gun platforms which supported Anderson's heavy guns. Visitor center exhibits as well as outdoor exhibits bring to life these two periods of history. A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. This serene riverside setting, along with colonial and Civil War history and visitor center exhibits make for a memorable outing. NCDCR
Battleship North Carolina
Wilmington
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINAis the state's memorial to her World War II veterans, an attraction, and a museum interpreting all ships named NORTH CAROLINA. The first ship to bear the name NORTH CAROLINA was the Ship-of-the-Line in the 1820s, followed by the Confederate Ironclad, the World War I-era Armored Cruiser, a never-completed post-World War I Battleship, and, finally, the World War II-era Battleship. Standing with quiet dignity and majesty across from historic downtown Wilmington, the Battleship North Carolina beckons visitors to walk her decks and envision daily life as well as fierce combat situations that her veterans faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Collections include not only the ship herself, but also many artifacts, documents, photographs and works of art. On tour since 1941! Step on board where history took place. Experience the thrill of the most decorated US battleship of WWII with 15 battle stars! Come aboard and explore nine decks, crew's quarters, gun turrets, and much more. This is a tour you won't want to miss! Located at the junction of highways 17/74/76/421 across from historic downtown Wilmington. Hours: Open Every Day! Battleship North Carolina
Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts
Wilmington
The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts, a stewardship property of Preservation North Carolina, exhibits and interprets the architecture of the Bellamy Mansion and its urban slave quarters. The home is also used for rotating arts exhibits and a variety of educational programs. Built as the city residence of prominent planter Dr. John D. Bellamy, the Bellamy Mansion (c. 1861) is Wilmington's most spectacular example of antebellum architecture. The mansion offers tours, changing exhibits on history and design arts, and an informative look at historic preservation in action. Interpretive programs include the construction of the main house (by slave and free African Americans), archaeological research and the planned reconstruction of the 1859 slave quarters and the carriage house. Civil War: At the outbreak of the war, Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina with a population of about 10,000. As the Union blockade choked off shipping to Southern ports, the city became critically important to the Confederate war effort. Blockade runners were able to slip into the mouth of the Cape Fear River protected by a series of forts, including the ocean-side Fort Fisher. World commerce flowing into Wilmington was used to fuel Lee's army in Virginia via the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad with connections to Petersburg and Richmond. ''Lee's Lifeline'' functioned until early 1865 when Union forces captured Fort Fisher, then marched north to occupy Wilmington. Many fine antebellum buildings, including the Bellamy Mansion, are included in a town tour. For more information, stop at the Cape Fear Museum or call 800-222-4757 for general information. Bellamy Mansion
Bentonville Battleground
Newton Grove
Civil War: NCDCR
Civil War Battle Summary - Wilmington
Location: New Hanover County. Campaign: Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865) more....
Civil War Battle Summary - Expedition against Fort Fisher (December 1864)
Location: New Hanover County. more....
Civil War Battle Summary - Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865)
Location: New Hanover County. Campaign: Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865) more....
Cape Fear Museum of History & Science
Wilmington
Oldest history museum in NC; focus on regional history, cultures, and science; Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery focuses on natural history. Extensive Civil War collection features Wilmington waterfront as it was in 1863 and diorama of 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher, 1865. The oldest history museum in North Carolina founded in 1898 by Cape Fear Chapter #3 United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Cape Fear Museum collects, preserves, and interprets objects relating to the history, science and cultures of the lower Cape Fear and makes those objects and their interpretations available to the public through educational exhibitions and programs. Exhibits focus on a broad range of topics including the history of Wilmington, navigation, the Civil War, local industry and agriculture, Michael Jordan and other local celebrities, and the natural history of the region. Temporary and rotating exhibits highlight numerous other subjects of interest and allow the museum to display a variety of their interesting holdings and also to feature loaned items from the community and beyond. Civil War: The museum features a large model of the Civil War-era Wilmington waterfront surrounded by exhibits detailing the city's wartime history including blockade running. Nearby, a large audio-visual diorama dramatically describes the final assault at Fort Fisher in 1865. capefearmuseum.com nhcgov.com
Cape Fear Riverboats - Henrietta III
Wilmington
Henrietta III, riverboat offers narrated sightseeing; dinner cruises & holiday cruises on the Cape Fear River. Available for private charters and weddings. Capt. J.N. Maffitt, a vintage World War II Navy Launch, offers public sightseeing cruises and a taxi service from the city-side of the river to the Battleship North Carolina. Also available for private charter. ## Sightseeing and dining cruises on North Carolina's largest riverboat. Dinner dance cruises, narrated sightseeing and lunch cruises, private year round parties, special event cruises and sunset cruises. Cape Fear River Cruises
Cowan Museum
Kenansville
Over 2,000 items fill the historic Kelly-Farrior House that serves as a museum. Artifacts reflecting the heritage of rural North Carolina include farming implements, household items from the 18th and 19th centuries, and tools of all kinds. One-room log schoolhouse, log tobacco barn, one-room furnished log cabin and blacksmith shop on the grounds. Free. Kenansville, Duplin County, NC. Civil War cowanmuseum.com
The Historic L.P. Best House/Duplin County Veterans Museum
Warsaw
Civil War: townofwarsawnc.com
Fort Anderson / Brunswick Town
Wilmington, Southport
Civil War: Brunswick Town - Fort Anderson State Historic Site
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Kure Beach
Fort Fisher Historic Site preserves, educates and interprets for public benefit the history and structure of Fort Fisher and its significance to the outcome of the Civil War. The visitor center features exhibits on the Civil War, local figures, and a fiber optics map illustrating the Battle of Fort Fisher. It also interprets Fort Fisher's history during World War II, as well as educates on coastline erosion and environmental issues. The earthworks can be accessed from the visitor center and are interpreted year round, including the reenactment of the Battle of Fort Fisher.## At the dawn of the Civil War, the Confederacy took control of a neck of land in Southern North Carolina near the mouth of the Cape Fear River and constructed what was to become the largest and one of the most important earthwork fortifications in the South. Approximately 10% of Fort Fisher remains, along with a restored palisade fence. The visitor center contains interpretive exhibits and an audiovisual presentation. Among the displays are items recovered from sunken blockade-runners. State headquarters for underwater archaeology is also located here. Free. ## Civil War: Confederate fort built between the ocean and the Cape Fear River, guarding the approach to Wilmington. Only about 10 percent of the original fort remains, but what is left is impressive. A visitor center describes the importance of the fort and the battles that eventually resulted in the Union capture Jan. 15, 1865. The visitor center offers a bookshop, audio-visual program, and newly refurbished exhibits tracing the history of the campaign and battles. The centerpiece of the exhibits is a large fiber-optic battle map featuring a three dimensional model of Fort Fisher, thousands of moving lights, and dramatic narration and sound effects illustrating the final bloody hours of Fort Fisher. A tour trail circles the fort's massive remains. A restored gun emplacement at Shepherd's Battery features a fully operational replica of a 32-pdr. seacoast cannon. Wayside exhibits, placed along the tour trail and oceanfront, provide historical context for visitors. Battle Acre features a monument to soldiers who fought here. Also see ''Hidden Beneath the Waves,'' a pavilion exhibit featuring recovered and preserved artifacts from local shipwrecks (including Civil War era) Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Historic Fort Fisher
Known as the ''Gibraltar of the South,'' Fort Fisher guarded the Cape Fear river and Wilmington, the last major Confederate port, until January 1865. The modern site preserves some of the original ramparts and relics from the blockade runners that found protection under Fort Fisher's guns. more....
Museum of Coastal Carolina
Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is a natural history museum. Newest exhibit is a touch tank with live sea animals. Permanent exhibits include extensive collections of seashells, saltwater fish, birds, wetland animals, sea animals, live snakes, animal skins, Native American artifacts, and Civil War relics. Natural habitat settings include the Swamp, The Reef, and Waterfowl. Traveling exhibits include Tale of Loggerhead Turtle and The Great Bears. Party and Event Rooms. Gift Shop. ## The Museum of Coastal Carolina is dedicated to presenting the natural history and cultural heritage of the coastal Carolinas, an area rich in wildlife and history. Exhibits depict the precious diversity of wildlife and habitat, providing an exciting and educational experience. Museum Of Coastal Carolina
Moores Creek National Battlefield
Currie
Site of one of the first battles in the South of the Revolutionary War and the first patriot victory of the war. Museum, audiovisual program, self-guided history and nature trails, and picnic area. ## Moores Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first southern battle and patriot victory in the American Revolution. The battle of Moores Creek Bridge reflected the internal conflict that marked the American Revolution, and the site serves to educate the public and the military community about 18th century politics and warfare. The 86-acre park encompasses the site of the original bridge, earthworks, battle ground and original roadways, and includes two walking trails interpreting the battle, a visitor center featuring an audiovisual presentation and exhibits, outdoor monuments commemorating specific individuals and events relevant to the site, and both indoor and outdoor picnic and classroom areas. Moores Creek National Battlefield "> recreation.gov
North Carolina Historic Site > Moore's Creek Bridge
North Carolina Continentals and militia defeat loyalists troops seeking to join the British army and subdue the colony for the Crown. The battle at Moore's Creek Bridge and a following battle near Charleston, South Carolina postponed a British invasion of the southern colonies for two years. more....
North Carolina Historic Site > Fort Fisher
Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By 1865, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Fort Fisher fell after a massive Federal amphibious assault on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy. Visitors are invited to tour the remains of the fort's land face, which features an impressive reconstruction of a 32-pdr. seacoast gun at Shepherd's Battery. Shaded by gnarled live oaks, a scenic trail leads tourists from the visitor center past the gigantic earthworks. more....
NC Underwater Archaeology Center
Kure Beach
The Underwater Archeology Branch excavates and surveys shipwrecks and other underwater archaeological sites throughout the state. The branch also coordinates ongoing recovery and restoration projects, such as the Queen Anne's Revenge ## The Underwater Archaeology section of the NC Division of Archives and History operates this small museum with exhibits on maritime history featuring artifacts uncovered in underwater explorations dating from prehistoric(Native American) to the Civil War and the present. NCDCR (1) NCDCR (2)
NC Military History Museum
Kure Beach
The North Carolina Military History Museum collects, interprets and attempts to preserve yearbooks, histories, photographs, uniforms and artifacts related to United States military activity from the Spanish American War to the present day. The focus is especially on North Carolina's contribution to all branches of the military in the twentieth century. ncmhs.net/NCHMSlocations.htm
Poplar Grove Historic Plantation
Wilmington
Poplar Grove Plantation preserves the homestead of James Foy, patriarch of a successful antebellum farming family, and the outbuildings and crafts typical of a 19th century working community. Poplar Grove is preserved through the efforts of the non-profit Poplar Grove Foundation. ## 1850 Historic House Museum. Just a few minutes north of Wilmington, Poplar Grove is a wonderful experience for families, with plenty to see and do for young visitors. Tour the big house and tenant farmer's cabin, spend some time visiting the craft shops and learn about basket making and weaving. At the blacksmith's shop, find out why nails were so precious. ## Civil War Poplar Grove Plantation
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
Wrightsville Beach
The island's fourth-oldest cottage has been restored to house both rotating and permanent exhibits displaying the island's rich history, including a scale model (c. 1910) complete with working trolley. ## The Wrightsville Beach Museum is located in the Myers Cottage, the third oldest cottage on the island and one of twenty beach cottages built by the Tidewater Power Company in 1907. The museum, while not strictly a house museum, depicts life on Wrightsville Beach just after the turn of the century. Other exhibits interpret barrier island heritage, the Civil War, hurricanes, the Ocean View Railroad or trolley, Lumina Pavilion, and the lives of various individuals prominent in the history of Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville Beach Museum Of History
Wilmington National Cemetery
Wilmington
Established in 1867, this Historic National Cemetery is the resting place for 100's of Military Veterans dating back to the mid-1800's. Ceremonies are held each Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Access sunrise to sunset. va.gov
Wilmington Trolley Company
Wilmington
Experience the grandeur and charm of Old Wilmington with a trolley tour of the historic district. The eight-mile, 45 minute narrated sightseeing tour includes beautiful mansions, haunted homes, museums, birthplaces of famous natives, TV/movie locations, African-American History, Civil War Shipyards, brick laden streets and more. Tours depart from the corner of Dock and Water Streets. wilmingtontrolley.com
