Cape Fear Museum

Cape 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. Wilmingtons newly formed chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy was responsible for the Museum, which was originally housed in the Wilmington Light Infantrys building. During World War I, the Museum collection went to Raleigh. In 1930, another womens organization, North Carolina Sorosis, took over museum operations. Under their administration, the Museums holdings broadened to in...