WILMINGTON, N.C. (Sep. 2, 2026) — Visitors to Wilmington can now experience the next chapter of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science at its new downtown Wilmington location, where interactive galleries, immersive exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium bring the region's history and culture to life.

Founded in 1898, the Cape Fear Museum is the oldest history museum in North Carolina and has served as a cultural cornerstone of the Wilmington community for more than a century. The museum reopened to the public Aug. 18 in the heart of downtown Wilmington after closing its longtime Market Street location at the end of 2025. Its new three-story facility at 230 Grace St. more than doubles the museum's previous exhibit space and features more than 400 artifacts alongside new attractions designed to engage visitors of all ages, including:

  • Cape Fear Stories, the museum's largest exhibition, tracing the people, events and traditions that shaped the Lower Cape Fear
  • Science Matters, a hands-on STEM gallery demonstrating how science helps people better understand and shape the world around them
  • Port City Play, an interactive children's gallery featuring imaginative play experiences and a two-story climber
  • Curious Nature, an outdoor rooftop gallery highlighting the ecosystems and the area’s natural beauty
  • The Planetarium, a 60-seat digital dome theater offering astronomy, science and history programs
  • Michael Jordan Discovery Display, showcasing artifacts and images that explore the basketball legend's ties to Wilmington and his celebrated career
  • Amazing Pollinators, the museum's first traveling exhibition, a bilingual (English and Spanish) interactive maze that explores the world of pollinators

“The Cape Fear Museum of History & Science is excited to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art facility,” said Kate Baillon, Cape Fear Museum director. “Visitors can discover our region’s history in the Cape Fear Stories exhibit, explore and experiment through science, learn through play, connect with the local environment and look beyond our world in the planetarium. It is a place for children, families, lifelong learners – and anyone who wants to better understand this region and our connections to the world.”

The museum's reopening marks the completion of Project Grace, a transformative downtown development that brought a new home for both the Cape Fear Museum and the New Hanover County Main Library.

"The Cape Fear Museum has been a treasured part of the Wilmington community for generations, and its new home gives visitors even more ways to connect with the history, science and culture that make our region special," said Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches CVB. "Its location in the heart of downtown also makes it an exciting addition to the experiences visitors can enjoy while exploring Wilmington."

For more information, including admission, hours and upcoming programs, visit CapeFearMuseum.com.

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About Wilmington and Beaches CVB

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority [TDA], d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau [CVB], markets and develops the county and its communities’ leisure and group travel experiences for economic growth and quality of place. Visit us online at WilmingtonAndBeaches.com.

Media Contact:

WilmingtonandBeachesPR@fwv-us.com