Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is located in North Carolina
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
Location within North Carolina
Established1898
LocationWilmington, North Carolina
Coordinates34°14′10″N 77°56′19″W / 34.2360°N 77.9387°W / 34.2360; -77.9387
TypeHistory & Science Museum
DirectorKate Baillon
CuratorHeather Yenco
Websitehttps://www.capefearmuseum.com/
Deer exhibit at Cape Fear Museum.
Hurricanes! exhibit.
Restored 1876 classroom at Cape Fear Museum.
Fox exhibit at Cape Fear Museum.

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is a museum in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1898, it is the oldest history museum in the state.[1]

Museum scope

The Cape Fear Museum was founded in 1898 by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to preserve artifacts relating to the Civil War. Today, it is owned and operated by New Hanover County New Hanover, North Carolina.[2] The museum moved to its current location in 1970. The museum's building is a combination of an historic structure—a 1930s Works Progress Administration armory—and a 1990s expansion.

The museum has a collection of more than fifty two thousand artifacts, the vast majority of which are in storage. The museum currently collects artifacts relating to the history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear, defined as a 50-mile radius around the city of Wilmington. In addition to New Hanover, the adjacent counties are Brunswick and Pender. The extended region encompasses portions of Columbus, Bladen, Sampson, Duplin, and Onslow counties.[3]

Exhibits

Cape Fear Stories (first floor)

Cape Fear Stories is the Museum’s largest exhibition and delves into the rich history of the Lower Cape Fear region. The first floor spans covers prehistoric time through the Civil War, the 1898 massacre and coup, and into the early 20th century.  

Cape Fear Stories (second floor)

The second floor of Cape Fear Stories explores the 20th century including the local economy and film industry, leisure and tourism, World Wars I and II, the environment, and more.

Port City Play

Port City Play is an imaginative play space for young children and their caregivers. It includes a two-story climber, hands-on interactive displays, performance theater, and more.

Science Matters

Science Matters is the Museum’s hands-on STEM gallery emphasizing how science helps us understand and change the world. Interactive experiences highlight local connections to our region.

Curious Nature

Curious Nature is an outdoor gallery on the Museum’s rooftop terrace. It highlights the beauty of our region, inspires curiosity, and features an interactive water play table.

Planetarium

The Museum features a 60-seat immersive digital dome theatre to feature star shows, science, and history programs.

References

  1. ↑ "Cape Fear Museum Of History And Science | AMERICAN HERITAGE". www.americanheritage.com. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Cape Fear Museum". Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ "About the Collection". capefearmuseum.com. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
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34°14′09″N 77°56′18″W / 34.2359°N 77.9384°W / 34.2359; -77.9384

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