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The Cape Fear Museum

The Cape Fear Museum

The Cape Fear Museum is one of the most refined museums in terms of collected objects in Wilmington. The name of Cape Fear Museum comes from the nearby Cape Fear River.

The museum is located at 814 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401. And the Cape Fear Museum has almost 57,000 items that are mainly about,

  • The region’s history
  • Science
  • And culture

History of Cape Fear Museum

The historical Cape Fear Museum opened in March 1898. Its precious artifacts displayed within the Wilmington Light Infantry’s (WLI) building. Sometime later it was moved to the County courthouse annex.

In 1960 it was moved again, this time to the Police Station building. And, in 1970, it was moved yet again to where its currently located. And in those times, the building was the National Armory building.

Local residents played a pivotal role in the formation of the Cape Fear Museum. They had supported a bond issue for museum improvements in the late 1980s. The Museum opened with new exhibits in 1992.

The purpose of the museum’s foundation was to preserve the Confederate objects of the Civil War in 1865. The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) was in charge of the Museum then. They continue to collect various objects related to the confederate memories.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) was in charge of the Museum for its first two decades. Then the Wilmington Light Infantry (WLI) took charge during the First World War. Due to the passing of time, many other objects besides Confederate objects were collected.

From 1930 to the early 1960s, North Carolina Sorosis was in charge of the Museum. The collected objects of the Cape Fear Museum represent regional, national, and international art, history, and science artifacts after 1930.

The city of Wilmington and New Hanover County jointly administered the Museum until 1977.

In 1977, New Hanover county took charge solely and is continuing till now. Cape Fear Museum is now a department of New Hanover County.

Visiting the Cape Fear Museum

Visiting Cape Fear Museum is a great experience. It is a great blend of the local history, science, artwork, and culture of Wilmington and the surrounding areas.

The museum also had lots of interactive exhibits and educational displays for the children. Children can build their own space station or lunar rover in the Museum. Some additional information to find out about the Museum while visiting,

  • For children aged between 6-17, their entry fee is only $5.
  • Children aged 5 and under don’t have to give any entry fees.
  • The Museum remains open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 5 AM. However, on Sunday it remains open from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Museum Collection of Cape Fear Museum

The collection of the Cape Fear Museum started in 1898 and is continuing till now. It provides a view of the historical past of Cape Fear and its surrounding areas.

The museum collection represents a wide range of American history. For instance, it had a collection of Native American artifacts from the Archaic period(800 BCE to 1000 BCE).

The items represent mostly the span from the 17th to 21st century USA. Great efforts have been made. Most of the collection puts emphasis on the 20th century.

Documents, photographs, and three-dimensional artifacts like clothing, and furniture are among the collected items.

The museum also had replications of Civil War-era Wilmington. The museum had a part specially reserved for the history of the early days of the civil war when the confederate union had successfully blocked the port.

Native American replicas of tools can be found there. Wildlife and environmental displays are also part of the collection of the museum.

Museum Exhibits

The museum had an excellent collection of exhibits that the children can directly relate to. Interactive exhibits make it fun and enjoyable, especially for children. For instance, children can build their own space station and lunar rover. They can also participate in a scavenger hunt.

There are also exhibits related to the history of Wilmington and Cape Fear. It also had a limited-time dinosaur exhibit. Overall, museum exhibit collections are huge, informative, and enjoyable for both children and adults.

Photo Collection of Cape Fear Museum

The photo collection of Cape Fear Museum is also massive. There are almost 15,000 images in the Museum’s photography collection. The collection of photographs includes film, school, azalea festival, postcards, beaches, people, Cape Fear River, etc.

The photographs shed light on the lifestyle of the people of Cape Fear. The collection of photographs is growing continuously. Some of the collection of photos is also available online and can be used with prior permission.

The History of The Name Cape Fear

The name Cape Fear had come from the 1585 expedition of Sir Richard Grenville. Sir Richard Grenville's ship was sailing to Roanoke Island. While sailing on Roanoke Island, his ship was facing extreme difficulty. Some of the crew became very afraid and thought that the ship could be destroyed. This fear of the ship's crew had given rise to the name "Cape Fear."

The Cape Fear River had sharks of different species. The residents of Cape Fear love their sharks as long as these sharks don’t harm them. One can swim in the Cape Fear River. But it is advised that the beginner swimmer practice in the river along with the help of an expert.

Besides visiting the Cape Fear Museum, you can also visit other magnificent places in Wilmington. You can visit the historical Bellamy Mansion. This mansion was built in 1861 and, like the Cape Fear Museum, it also gives a touch to the history of 19th Century North Carolina.

For the latest news release about Cape Fear Museum, visit their website.

ENC Explorer
Author: ENC Explorer

After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.

This place is for Publicity

This place is for Publicity

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