Page 18 - Wilmington VG 2022

HISTORY

1840-1859 professions. These freedoms were attacked
EARLY 19TH CENTURY by a violent white supremacy campaign
that resulted in the Wilmington Coup of
In 1840, the addition of the Wilmington 1898, an insurrection that culminated in
and Weldon Railroad boosted the already electoral fraud, the burning of the city’s
active port of Wilmington to become the Black newspaper offices, and the deaths of
largest city in North Carolina. Between an unknown number of African Americans.
1850 and 1860, some of the city’s most • Cape Fear Museum of History’s exhibits and
impressive structures were built, several of online resources interpret the experiences
which allow public tours and special events. of African American Wilmingtonians and
• Take a guided tour of the Latimer House explores ways the region has changed.
Museum (c.1852), a true gem from • Wilmington Tours offers an African
Wilmington’s pre-war housing boom. American History self-guided app tour that
• Mondays and Fridays, go behind the scenes includes stops at 32 significant sites.
at one of the oldest theaters in the U.S. with
a guided tour of Thalian Hall (c.1858). 1940-1970
• Bellamy Mansion Museum (c.1861) is a THE MID-20TH CENTURY
meticulously preserved historic home. Hear In the 1940s, the Wilmington shipyard
live music on the lawn during the Summer built 243 ships and the city was a hub of
Jazz Concert Series. World War II home front activities. In 2020,
Wilmington became the first city in the U.S.
1861-1865 designated as an “American World War II
THE CIVIL WAR Heritage City” for its efforts to preserve
The largest land-sea battle of the Civil WWII heritage, restoration of wartime
War was fought at Fort Fisher, near Kure facilities, and recognition of veterans.
Beach. Wilmington was protected by Fort One of the only remaining USO
Fisher, the last Atlantic Coast port of the buildings still stands in Wilmington
and serves as a community arts
Confederacy, until it fell to Federal troops
on January 15, 1865, during the largest naval center and home front heritage museum.
bombardment of the 19th Century. Come aboard the Battleship NORTH
CAROLINA, one of the most decorated
• Explore the South’s largest earthen fort, battleships of her time. Walk the nine
waterside walking trails, and exhibits at decks of the restored WWII-era battleship,
Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Museum.
• See re-enactors relive history at the annual which are open to the public and interpret
the daily life and combat the crew faced.
Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher The half-mile SECU Memorial Walkway
in January.
surrounds the Battleship and honors each
branch of the military.
1865-1898
• Seasonal events aboard the Battleship
RECONSTRUCTION & BEYOND NORTH CAROLINA include the Battleship
After Emancipation, Wilmington’s Memorial Day Observance.
newly-freed Black population started new • Explore rarely seen sections of the ship
businesses, ran for office, and took up during a Hidden Battleship Tour.
18 W ilmingt onNC V isit orGuide . c om • 866-5 34-0845