New Hanover

Cape Fear Museum
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.

Wrightsville Beach Museum
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.

Wilmington Children's Museum
The Wilmington Children's Museum, through interactive exhibits and educational programs focused on the arts and sciences, strives to stimulate children's imagination, curiosity, and innate love of learning.

Wilmington Railroad Museum
Explore railroad history and heritage, especially of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, headquartered in Wilmington for over 130 years. Interests and activities for all ages include historical exhibits, full-size steam engine and rolling stock, lively children's area, and spectacular scale models. Housed in an original 1882 freight building, facilities are fully accessible and on one level. Groups are welcome and receive special guided tours. Facilities can also be booked for meetings or mixers, accommodating groups of up to 150.

Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts
The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts, a stewardship property of Preservation North Carolina, interprets the architecture of the Bellamy Mansion and its urban slave quarters. The home is also used for rotating exhibits on architectural preservation and history and a variety of educational programs.

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society
Latimer House and Archives
The Lower Cape Fear Historical Society was founded in 1957 to preserve and study the history of the Lower Cape Fear region. The articles of incorporation state, "This corporation is organized to be operated exclusively for literary and educational purposes. To this end said corporation shall collect and preserve records and materials and disseminate knowledge and information pertaining to the history of the Lower Cape Fear, State of North Carolina, and the United States of America." The Society's activities include restoration and exhibition of the Latimer House, a Victorian Italianate upper-class merchant's house in the heart of Wilmington's Historic District; the upkeep of the Society archives containing a wealth of local historic documents and publications; and a plethora of events, lectures, programs, and exhibits.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, one of three aquariums operated by the state of North Carolina, was established in 1976. It reopened in 2002 after undergoing a two-year expansion which tripled its size. The aquarium exhibits live animals and habitats depicting the ocean and streams, rivers and estuaries of the Cape Fear River basin. The Aquarium's mission is to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina's aquatic environments.

Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum
The Cameron Art Museum provides a cultural gathering place for all ages, featuring changing exhibitions of art; dynamic public programs in all media (lectures, music, films, literature, dance); monthly family and children's programs; a unique program of tours for Alzheimers patients; workshops and classes in ceramics at the Clay Studio, as well as weekly classes in Tai Chi and Yoga. Located on a Civil War historic site, the museum is surrounded by woodlands, nature trails, and a growing public art park. The museum gift shop includes unique, artist-made items in ceramic, glass, textiles, wood, and metal.

UNC-Wilmington, Randall Library
UNCW Museum of World Cultures, W.M. Randall Library
The Museum of World Cultures facilitates teaching, research and to preservation of the physical artifacts of those societies in the world which have contributed to the heritage of the United States of America, in order that students, faculty, staff and administrators, as well as citizens at large, may discover who they are and whence they came by learning and understanding their historical and cultural roots.

Battleship North Carolina
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is the state's memoiral to her World War II veterans and a museum interpreting all ships named NORTH CAROLINA: Ship-of-the-Line (1824-1867), Confederate Ironclad (1863-1864), Armored Cruiser ACR-12 (1908-1921), Battleship NC BB-52 (1919-1922), Battleship NC BB-55 (1941-1947), and the Fast Attack Nuclear Submarine NORTH CAROLINA - SSN 777. 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 artifacts, documents, photographs and works of art from all the ships named NORTH CAROLINA.

Office of State Archaeology
North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch
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.

Burgwin-Wright House Museum and Gardens
The Burgwin-Wright House is the oldest house museum in Southeastern North Carolina, built in 1770 by John Burgwin, planter, merchant, and treasurer of the colony of Carolina. The house was occupied as a residence until 1937 when The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the state of North Carolina bought it to restore. In 1950 it opened to the public as a house museum interpreting Wilmington's colonial elite.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site
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.

UNC-Wilmington, Randall Library
UNC-Wilmington Special Collections
The Special Collections at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington collects, arranges and describes and provides access to their manuscripts and audio-visual media collections specifically to the UNCW community, but to the general public as well. They collect manuscripts, books, audio formats, videos, and photographs on subjects related to the university, the Wilmington area, and the southeastern portion of North Carolina.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Visitors Center
The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area's Visitor Center Collection includes loggerhead and other turtle shells, seashells, taxidermy mounts of native ducks and other birds, and a variety of other natural history and science specimens. This growing collection is housed and exhibited in the visitor center classroom.

North Carolina Military History Museum
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.

UNC-Wilmington, Randall Library
UNC-Wilmington Archives
The UNCW Archives makes the history of the university accessible to students and researchers. Archives staff actively seeks university records, artifacts, handbooks, catalogs, student and faculty research, the school newspaper, board minutes and other materials relevant to the university.

Carolina Beach State Park
The Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall, located by the entrance to the park, offers environmental education programs and exhibits. The interactive maps and exhibits highlight the park's flora and fauna, but focus specifically on the carnivorous plants that are unique to their area.

Tote-Em-In Zoo
Primarily a zoo with over 100 species of animals, the Tote-Em-In Zoo offers a museum of exotic taxidermy specimens and a museum dedicated to artifacts and curiosities from around the United States and around the world. Included are hats, shoes, instruments, photographs, documents, models, pipes to mention a very few. Also, there is a special exhibit on Matteau, the zoo's elephant that drew in many vacationers for over 25 years.

Federal Point Historic Preservation Society
The Federal Point Historic Preservation Society was formed on March 28, 1994, for the purpose of bringing together persons interested in the history of Federal Point Township. The main focus of the society is on the preservation of historical properties, including the Newton Homesite and Cemetery, the Joy Lee Apartments, and the General Beauregard Historic Shipwreck Overlook. The society hopes to preserve, document, and present the history of the area at its History Center. Exhibits, a small research library, special events and lectures are featured at the history center, located next to Carolina Beach Municipal Hall. Open Tuesday 12-4, Friday and Saturday 10-4.

Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear
The Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear seeks to provide the link between the arts and the community, which will enhance participation in the arts for the enrichment of the region.

Davis and Son Tobacconists
Tobacco Memorabilia Exhibits
Davis and Son Tobacconists primarily operates as a retail dealer in fine imported and domestic tobaccos, pipes, cigars, and accessories; however, this business also houses and displays a significant collection of antique tobacco products and advertisements.

Thalian Hall
Thalian Hall is an 1858 Italianate theater designed by 19th Century architect John Montague. This theater is the only remaining example of his work. Thalian Hall has continually operated since its construction serving the city of Wilmington in the past and present as a center for the performing arts, for the county and municipal governments, and for the use and enjoyment of the public. The theater building is an historic landmark, and its Archives houses a great many records, photographs, and artifacts documenting the history of 18th, 19th, and early 20th century theater as well as Thalian Hall itself.

Williston School Alumni Association

New Hanover County Public Library
North Carolina Room
The North Carolina Room houses materials that relate to North Carolina. Much of it has been handed down through several former public and private libraries dating back to the Cape Fear Library of 1760. Although emphasis has been placed on collecting information about Southeastern North Carolina, the collection includes materials from across the state. Collections include extensive subject and family vertical files, an outstanding map collection, rare books, photographs, and ephemera of local and statewide interest.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Healing Through Time: A History of Medicine in the Lower Cape Fear
The New Hanover Regional Medical Center's exhibit - Healing Through Time: A History of Medicine in the Lower Cape Fear - documents the history of the practice of medicine in New Hanover and surrounding counties and includes a large variety of locally collected artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia. The chronological exhibit spans the length of the first floor visitor concourse. Informative, illustrated narrative panels accompany display kiosks featuring medical instruments, textiles such as nurses' uniforms, doctors' account books, old pharmaceutical products, and much more.