| Wilmington,
NC � April 2004 � During the month of May, attractions and community organizations
in Historic Wilmington and North
Carolina�s Cape Fear Coast will honor the 139th anniversary of the
end of the Civil War with special events and programs that commemorate
Confederate History Month. The Cape Fear Coast is among the most historically
significant regions in the United States for Civil War history. During
the Civil War, a massive network of defenses at Fort Fisher protected the
Cape Fear River. Wilmington was the last Atlantic Coast port of the Confederacy
to remain open to trade. Fort Fisher fell to Federal troops during the
largest naval bombardment of the 19th century on January 15, 1865 and the
city soon filled with troops in occupation.
Several
area historical sites interpret the area�s Confederate history, such as
Fort Fisher State Historic Site with Civil War mounds and visitor center
exhibits, and the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, NC�s oldest
history museum which was established in 1898 to house Confederate relics.
There�s also Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts, which
was used in 1865 as Union military headquarters following Wilmington�s
surrender. Other sites include the Wilmington Railroad Museum that spotlights
the importance of the railway during the war, and the Louise Wells Cameron
Art Museum, where newly restored Confederate defensive mounds are located
at the site of the Battle of Forks Road that exists on the museum�s 9.5-acre
campus. St. James Episcopal Church was occupied by Federal Troops and used
as a Civil War hospital. Civil War graves are located in cemeteries such
as the Wilmington National Cemetery, Bellevue Cemetery and Oakdale Cemetery
(site of the Confederate Memorial Monument and the gravesites of Mrs. Rose
O�Neal Greenhow, Confederate Secret Service Agent, and appx. 400 unknown
Confederate soldiers). Nearby attractions include Fort Anderson State Historic
Site/Brunswick Town, a fort that was part of the Cape Fear defenses and
fell in February 1865, and Poplar Grove Plantation, where period demonstrations
and exhibits interpret plantation life during Confederate times.
Following
are related events occurring in May in Historic Wilmington & North
Carolina�s Cape Fear Coast:
Ongoing
Throughout May
Antebellum
History Tours. Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts give tours
featuring its antebellum history. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am
to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm with the last guided tour each day beginning
at 4pm. Carriage House gift shop has large collection of Civil War history-related
items. Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts, corner 5th
& Market St., Wilmington. 910-251-3700.
May
1
Civil
War Art. An exclusive showing of prints of Civil War battle scenes by Brian
Kraus, Morehead City artist and educator, and pewter miniatures of Civil
War generals crafted by Gary Gerber, Morehead City craftsman, will be featured.
2pm � 4pm. Both the prints and miniatures will be available for purchase
in the Museum Shop throughout May. Cape Fear Museum of History & Science,
814 Market St., Wilmington. 910-341-4350.
May
7
�Focus
on Collecting.� Cape Fear Museum of History & Science unveils a new
long-term lobby exhibit that outlines the evolution of the Museum from
relic room to the premier regional museum of history and science. 1:45pm.
Featured are objects from the original collection of Cape Fear Chapter
No. 3 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Cape Fear Museum of History
& Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington. 910-341-4350.
�The
Civil War in the Carolinas�. Author Dan Morrill shares his research comparing
the Civil War experience between the two Carolinas. 1pm. Dr. Morrill will
be available for book signings. Copies of the book, recently reissued with
corrections, will be available for sale in the Museum Shop. Talk included
with regular museum admission. Cape Fear Museum of History & Science,
814 Market St., Wilmington. 910-341-4350.
Seeing
The Light of Day: The UDC Collection. Sue Miller discusses the evolution
of Cape Fear Museum of History & Science collections. 1:45pm. Learn
about the �ladies relic room,� view artifacts from the original collection,
and recall the accomplishments of Cape Fear Chapter No. 3 of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy. Reception and unveiling of new lobby display,
�Focus on Collecting�, to follow program. Cape Fear Museum of History &
Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington. 910-341-4350.
May
8
Civil
War Lighthouses. Author Kevin Duffus sheds light on the mystery behind
his new book �The Lost Light: A Civil War History of Extinguished Southern
Sentinels and Hidden Lighthouse Lenses�. 11am; free admission; seating
limited. Ft. Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach. 910-458-5538.
May
9
Historic
Fort Anderson. Site Manager, Jim Bartley, leads a tour of Fort Anderson.
11am-2pm. Free. New exhibit gallery now open featuring artifacts from Colonial
and Civil War periods. Fort Anderson State Historic Site, Hwy. 133, Winnabow,
NC. 910-371-6613.
Black
Soldiers of the Confederacy. Historian Alex Cheek explores the contributions
of black Southerners in combat roles during the War Between the States.
3pm. Sponsored by the Cape Fear Chapter of the North Carolina League of
the South. Contact Bernhard Thuersam, 910.763-9515. Williston Auditorium,
Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington.
910-341-4350.
May
15
Southern
Skies. Go back in time as you enter the Museum�s Starlab planetarium to
investigate the Civil War sky. Learn how blockade runners, soldiers, and
citizens used the stars to navigate their way. 10am Regular Museum admission,
plus $1 activity fee per child. Pre-registration and parental participation
required. Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington.
910-341-4350.
May
16
Confederate
Memorial Day Service. Cape Fear Chapter #3 of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy honor Confederate dead in cooperation with George Davis Camp
No. 5, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and George Davis Chapter No. 6, Children
of the Confederacy. 3pm. Free. Confederate Mound, Oakdale Cemetery, N.
15th Street, Wilmington.
May
21 & 22
Lincoln
Reconsidered Conference. Authors Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo and Dr. Clyde Wilson
discuss Lincoln�s actions amid the economic and political influences that
led to war in 1861, and his prosecution of the War Between the States.
Registration Fee: $25. Contact Bernhard Thuersam at 910.763.9515. The Wilmingtonian
Inn, 101 South 2nd Street, Wilmington.
For
a Free Visitors Guide to Historic Wilmington and North Carolina�s Cape
Fear Coast please call 1-866-266-9690. For a complete Calendar of Events
and more information on things to see and do, please visit www.cape-fear.nc.us.
|
Media:
Cape
Fear Coast CVB
Connie
Nelson
Communications
Manager
(910)
341-4030 ext. 20, or
(800)
222-4757
|
The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a the Cape Fear Coast
Convention & Visitors Bureau (CFCCVB)
is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County
that stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and
tourism. |
