Page 17 - Wilmington VG 2022

HISTORY

The Rich History of Wilmington and
our Island Beaches Spans Centuries
Both on Land and at Sea

n a city known for its historical Today, many of Wilmington’s
significance, you can look in famous spaces and notable places
any direction in Wilmington are open for public tours, special
I and find yourself transported events, and activities that bring
back to a time of struggle, triumph, history to life.
and adventure.
While permanent settlement did 1776-1782
not occur until 1725, the legends THE AMERICAN
and legacies of the North Carolina REVOLUTION
coast pre-date colonization. In 1524, Twenty miles northwest of
explorers arrived and discovered Wilmington is the site of the Battle
treacherous shoals spiked with of Moore’s Creek Bridge, which
sunken ships. The dangerous
seascape led early mariners (and took place in February of 1776.
pirates!) to coin the area “Cape Referred to as the Lexington and
of Feare,” thus the name Cape Concord of the South, the fight
Fear River. resulted in an American victory
European settlers colonized and that ended British authority in
incorporated Wilmington in 1739. The North Carolina and boosted Patriot
city became the region’s center of morale. The Burgwin-Wright House,
trade, politics, and culture due to the built in 1770, serves as an invaluable
proximity to the river and the ocean. reflection of the Revolutionary Era.
Experience Wilmington’s rich history • The Burgwin-Wright Museum
at street level through guided tours House & Gardens offers daily and
of historic homes and significant special candlelight tours where
sites through the 230-plus block interpreters reveal the rituals of
National Register Historic District. bygone times.
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W ilmingt onNC V isit orGuide . c om • 866-5 34-0845