Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
add photosCape Fear Museum of History and Science is the oldest history museum in North Carolina. Since its founding in 1898, the Museum has grown and changed. It began collecting confederate relics, and now collects images and artifacts that help us understand the history, science and cultures of the region.
The Museum began in one room, staffed only by volunteers. It has grown into a professionally run, American Association of Museums accredited institution, housing more than 50,000 objects.
The Museum was founded by a group of local women who wanted to preserve the objects and memories of the Civil War. Wilmington's newly formed chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy was responsible for the Museum, which was originally housed in the Wilmington Light Infantry's building.
During World War I, the Museum collection went to Raleigh. After the war, it took a decade for Wilmington -- through the work of the New Hanover County Historical Commission and the UDC -- to reclaim the collection. In 1930, another women's organization, North Carolina Sorosis, took over museum operations. Under their administration, many new objects were collected, broadening the Museum's holdings to include items from many historical periods, events and cultures. Over the decades, the collection grew to represent regional, national and international materials of art, history and science.
In the 1960s, New Hanover County began to fund some of the Museum's operations. The county took administrative control in 1977. The first professionally trained museum staff arrived in the late 1970s, and over the past three decades, the Museum has grown in size and focused its mission.
Today, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science tells the stories of the Lower Cape Fear region's history, science and cultures through exhibitions and educational programs.
SUMMER (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
WINTER (Labor Day through Memorial Day): **Closed Monday**
Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
2 Reviews for Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
0 families found this helpful
"Hundreds of Exhibits"
Another one of Wilmington’s big draws for families is the Cape Fear Museum. A 21- foot scale replica of the Wilmington waterfront and a 31-foot diorama are only two of the hundreds of exhibits at this special museum. The museum tells the story of the region from prehistoric times to the present in Waves and Currents: The Lower Cape Fear Story, a 600-square-foot exhibit that shows the development of this part of the coast. You’ll also discover special interactive programs for children, videos, the Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery, and more. Many of the programs offered at the museum change from time to time, but you can call for more information.
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"great for families!"
We visited this museum in early August. My husband, who usually does not enjoy museums, loved it. The exhibits range from a large skeleton replica, early weapons, early farming tools, scale models of Wilmington to modern day exhibits. There were hands on activites for my son ( 3) throughout the museum--even before we entered the Michael Jordan Discovery section. It should be a must see for anyone traveling to Wilmington. (Plus--The weather was hot; the museum is well air conditioned.)
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