Information
Landmark: Cape Fear MuseumCity: Wilmington
Country: USA North Carolina
Continent: North America
Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington, USA North Carolina, North America
Overview
Founded in 1898, Wilmington’s Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is North Carolina’s oldest, where worn brass display cases still hold stories from centuries past.It’s a lively hub for learning and culture, shining a light on the history, science, and diverse traditions of the Lower Cape Fear-where salt air mingles with stories of the past.The museum holds accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and proudly serves as a Smithsonian Affiliate, a mark of its national stature and dedication to excellence-right down to the polished brass nameplate by the entrance.🏛️ General Overview Established : 1898 Address : 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 Phone : (910) 798-4370 Director : Sheryl Mays Accreditation : American Alliance of Museums, Smithsonian Affiliate Governance : Operated by New Hanover County Target Audience : Families, school groups, tourists, researchers, and locals Mission : To collect, preserve, and interpret objects relating to the history, science, and cultures of southeastern North Carolina 🕒 Operating Hours Tuesday – Saturday : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday : 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Monday : Open only between Memorial Day and Labor Day 🎟️ Admission Adults : $8 Seniors, College Students, Military : $7 Youth (6–17) : $5 Children under 5 : Free Museum Members : Free New Hanover County Residents : Free on the first Sunday of each month EBT/SNAP Cardholders : Free admission for up to six people 🖼️ Permanent Exhibits Cape Fear Stories Chronicles 400+ years of local history: Native American life, colonial settlement, slavery, Civil War, industrialization, civil rights, and the modern era Interactive displays and primary source artifacts Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery Focused on local flora, fauna, and environmental science Features hands-on learning about Wilmington’s ecosystems, including marshes, forests, and the famous Venus flytrap Named after the NBA legend and Wilmington native Space Place A family-friendly, interactive area exploring astronomy, rockets, and planetary science Includes dress-up astronaut suits, space puzzles, and telescope models Giant Ground Sloth Exhibit One of the museum’s most popular features Skeleton of a prehistoric Megalonyx jeffersonii found near Wilmington Estimated to be over 10,000 years old Natural Selections Examines the scientific process and biodiversity of the region Explores the geological history and human interaction with the natural environment 🖼️ Temporary & Traveling Exhibits Solidarity Now!Founded in 1898, the Cape Fear Museum sits at 814 Market Street in Wilmington, NC, and can be reached at (910) 798‑4370.Director Sheryl Mays oversees this Smithsonian Affiliate, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and operated by New Hanover County.Families, tourists, school groups, researchers, and locals come to explore its mission: collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history, science, and cultures of southeastern North Carolina.Doors open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; on Mondays, it’s open only between Memorial Day and Labor Day.Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, college students, and military, $5 for youth ages 6–17, and free for children under 5, museum members, New Hanover County residents on the first Sunday each month, and EBT/SNAP cardholders (up to six people).Permanent exhibits include *Cape Fear Stories*, where you can see more than 400 years of local history through artifacts like Civil War letters and Native American tools; the *Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery* with hands‑on displays of marshes, forests, and the rare Venus flytrap; *Space Place*, a playful zone with kid‑sized astronaut suits and telescope models; the towering skeleton of a 10,000‑year‑old Giant Ground Sloth; and *Natural Selections*, which examines biodiversity and geology.Temporary and traveling exhibits, such as *Solidarity Now!*, keep the experience fresh.Through August 31, 2025, the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit *1968 Poor People’s Campaign* brings Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for economic justice to life with striking photos, worn protest signs, and vivid historical accounts.*Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen*, on view through September 7, 2025, celebrates the nation’s first Black military pilots with interactive kiosks, weathered pilot gear, and recorded stories from the airmen themselves.Between these major shows, the museum rolls out small pop-up exhibits that shift every few months, spotlighting local history, art, or the region’s natural science.School groups can book standards-based field trips in science and social studies for PreK–12, where students handle fossils in the lab or step into history through hands-on activities.Summer Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m., the “Try It!” workshop invites kids to experiment with rockets, track animal prints, or tinker with circuits.Outreach programs send traveling kits to schools, train educators, and offer virtual lessons, while teachers across southeastern North Carolina tap into curriculum support.Special events range from Family Science Night to STEM Saturdays, African American Heritage Day, and eco-focused festivals.The collection tops 56,000 artifacts, from Civil War uniforms and 20th-century toys to maritime tools, Wilmington 1898 coup documents, and specimens of local plants and minerals.Guests enjoy free parking behind the museum via Dock Street, and the building is fully accessible, with elevators, restrooms, and wheelchair-friendly exhibits.The museum store stays stocked with science kits, history books, coastal souvenirs, and children’s toys.In all, Cape Fear Museum delivers a rich, hands-on look at the past and present of southeastern North Carolina.It weaves together history, science, and hands-on learning, inviting visitors of every age to explore-whether they’re gazing at ancient maps or testing a simple experiment.
