Discover the Rich Heritage of the Gullah Geechee in Wilmington & Coastal North Carolina

While the Gullah Geechee culture is often associated with South Carolina and Georgia, Wilmington and surrounding coastal communities are also part of this rich heritage nestled within the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor.

Designated by Congress in 2006, the National Park Service’s Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor honors the history and contributions of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved West Africans. Stretching from Pender County, North Carolina, to St. John’s County, Florida, the corridor encompasses areas where West Africans were brought to work on rice, cotton, and indigo plantations. Due to their isolation on the Sea Islands, these enslaved Africans developed a unique language and traditions, creating the vibrant Gullah Geechee culture.

Visitors to the Wilmington area can immerse themselves in Gullah Geechee history by exploring historical sites and attending events that celebrate and preserve the culture.

A Window into the Past: Tour Bellamy Mansion, Poplar Grove Plantation

Bellamy Mansion of History & Design Arts, Poplar Grove Plantation, and the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science offer a glimpse into enslaved people’s lives, resilience, and contributions in Wilmington and the Cape Fear region. Each site conveys the stories through curated exhibits and preserved artifacts.

At Bellamy Mansion, visitors can learn about the nine enslaved individuals who maintained the property. Built by free and enslaved Africans between 1850 and 1861, the 10,000-square-foot, twenty-two room mansion includes its original slave quarters—one of the best-preserved examples in the country. Visitors can choose between self-guided, audio, or guided tours.

Enslaved West Africans played a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of southeastern North Carolina. At Poplar Grove Plantation, their expertise was instrumental in cultivating peanuts and sweet potatoes. Poplar Grove offers tours detailing the history of the Gullah Geechee and highlighting North Carolina Black History through the American Revolution and the Civil War, focusing on enslaved people at the plantation.

Poplar Grove and Bellamy Mansion are both featured historical sites on the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor’s website.

(Poplar Grove image)

Cape Fear Museum: Exploring the Legacy of Enslaved Africans and Their Descendants

The exhibits at the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science provide a comprehensive look at how enslaved Africans and their descendants shaped the region. During the Colonial Period, enslaved individuals worked in the piney woods, producing tar, pitch, and turpentine, helping to transform Wilmington into a hub for the naval stores industry. The Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit highlights their contributions to the region’s economic success as agricultural laborers. The exhibit also includes stories of the U.S. Colored Troops and their fight for freedom, as well as the impact of the 1898 Wilmington Massacre on the African American community.

Gullah Geechee Heritage at Moores Creek National Battlefield and Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach showcases a sweetgrass basket handcrafted by Gullah artisan Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The basket represents a centuries-old tradition of sweetgrass-weaving, a practice passed down through generations to preserve the culture.

Visitors can also learn about the Black experience in the region and at Fort Fisher. Enslaved and free Blacks helped build the fort and played a role in its fall as members of the U.S. Colored Troops. The USCT fought in the final stages at Fort Fisher and marched 17 miles to Wilmington, where they clashed with the Confederates in the Battle of Forks Road on Feb. 20-21, 1865. The battle occurred on the ground where the Cameron Art Museum and the USCT Park now stands. The USCT’s victory led to the Union Army capturing Wilmington, a pivotal battle that ended the Civil War.

A display at Moores Creek National Battlefield, the site of the first significant victory for the Patriots in the American Revolution, features a Gullah bible and a sweetgrass basket. Youth visiting Moores Creek receive a Gullah Geechee activity book published by the North Carolina Rice Festival, Inc. The engaging book is packed with information about the history of rice plantations in the Cape Fear region, examples of the Gullah Geechee language, and other cultural insights. Moores Creek, also featured on the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor’s website, is 20 miles from Wilmington, NC.

Paddle Through History: Discover the Gullah Geechee Legacy

Eagles Island, spanning over 3,000 acres between the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers, still bears the remnants of rice fields and canals hand-dug by enslaved West Africans. Paddling through the canals offers visitors a unique and immersive way to connect with Gullah Geechee history and appreciate their ingenuity firsthand.

Wilmington Outdoor Adventures’ more than two-hour guided Eagles Island kayak excursion showcases the beauty and unique ecosystems around the island. Kayakers traverse Sturgeon Creek, Mill Creek, Eagles Island, and Brunswick River while learning about conservation efforts, wildlife, and the historical significance of the Gullah Geechee. The inspiration for creating the Eagles Island kayak paddle came from a deep admiration for the resilience and intellect of the Gullah Geechee people, according to Kay Lynn Hernandez, Wilmington Outdoor Adventures owner.

(provided by Wilmington Outdoor Adventures)

A Coastal Legacy: Seabreeze and Freeman Beach Communities

The Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor is making efforts to highlight its northernmost areas, including the historic Black beach communities of Seabreeze and Freeman Beach, located between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. During the Jim Crow era, Seabreeze and Freeman Beach were havens for Black families seeking leisure. Established in 1922 and 1951, respectively, these neighboring resorts—developed by the Freeman family—became symbols of pride and resilience. Over time, dredging near Freeman Beach, encroaching development, and the devastation of Hurricane Hazel led to their decline. To learn more, visit Federal Point History Center.

WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours highlights the connection between Seabreeze and the Gullah Geechee culture as part of its guided exploration of Wilmington’s African American heritage. A dedicated Seabreeze tour is set to launch in summer 2025, celebrating the vibrant legacy of Freeman Park and its surrounding community. Visitors can also explore this rich history through the Cape Fear Museum’s Cape Fear Stories exhibit.

(Image from Federal Point History Center)

Experience the Influences of the Gullah Geechee Culture Through Art

The history and culture of the Gullah Geechee are expressed through various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, sweetgrass basket weaving, and storytelling. Coastal artists Ivey Hayes and Minnie Evans are often associated with the Gullah Geechee due to vibrant colors and distinctive styles echoing traditional Gullah Geechee art. Hayes’s work highlights life in southeastern North Carolina and often features themes related to the coast and agriculture. Evans’s multicolored paintings frequently incorporate spiritual and mystical elements, which are also deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee traditions.

A series of Hayes’s art is currently on display at  Poplar Grove Plantation’s ticket office and gift shop on 101 Scotts Hill Loop Road, just north of Wilmington on Hwy. 17. Visitors can also view his paintings in the Open Air Market and the manor house. The Art Factory Gallery, located at 721 Surry Street, adjacent to Waterline Brewery in Wilmington, features prints of some of Hayes’ early watercolors and his late-career acrylics.

(Poplar Grove Ivey Hayes’s “Peanut Harvest”  painting image)

Cameron Art Museum is home to the Minnie Evans Study Center, which preserves and researches the late artist’s life and work and owns a significant collection of her work. Visitors should check the museum’s website for upcoming exhibits.

North Carolina artist Dare Coulter’s “Because It’s Time” sculpture honors Black lives in Wilmington. Located at the University of North Carolina Wilmington amphitheater, the sculpture pays tribute to the enduring cultural traditions of the Gullah Geechee. Coulter’s work incorporates symbols of Gullah Geechee heritage, such as indigo, Carolina Gold rice, and cowrie shells, once used as currency in Africa. The sculpture is painted black, with a topcoat that transforms into indigo blue when it catches the light, symbolizing the magic and resilience of the Gullah Geechee.

Savoring Heritage: The Rich Influence of Gullah Geechee Cuisine

Steeped in heritage, Gullah Geechee cuisine connects its people to their African roots.  Rice is the backbone of their culinary tradition. Other staples include seafood and okra. Official Gullah culinarian Chef Keith Rhodes uses his cooking and storytelling to educate others about the Gullah Geechee culinary history, starting with the story of rice and its journey to America. Enslaved Africans were crucial in cultivating Carolina Gold rice using traditional African farming techniques. Their labor, knowledge, and cultural practices made rice a major economic driver in the region.

Rhodes balances traditional recipes with modern culinary trends at his Wilmington restaurant, Catch. In the future, Rhodes plans to raise awareness of the culture through additional menu items, new restaurants, and pop-ups in Wilmington.

Gullah Geechee culture has also profoundly impacted Low Country cuisine, which combines ingredients inspired by Gullah Geechee culinary traditions with influences from French, African, and English foodways. Although Wilmington is not part of the Low Country, you can still savor its cuisine at several local restaurants. Treat yourself to mouth-watering fried green tomatoes, savory oyster stew, hearty Hoppin’ John, and the ever-popular shrimp and grits.

Nearby Landmarks & Cultural Events

Rekindling Connections to the Past

The North Carolina Rice Festival, held in March, celebrates the agricultural expertise and thriving culture of the Gullah Geechee. With a mission of “education through celebration,” this multi-day event includes the NC Gullah Geechee Heritage Gala and the Annual Ancestry Reveal with African Ancestry, Inc., where residents explore their ancestral connections to the people of West Africa’s “Rice Coast.” The festival culminates in an all-day event at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson in Winnabow. Founded in 1725, Brunswick Town was the first port town in southeastern North Carolina. Visitors can engage in Gullah Geechee culture through exhibits, live performances featuring music, dance and storytelling, food and craft vendors, and educational programs.

(provided by NC Rice Festival)

Reaves Chapel: A Testament to Gullah Geechee Heritage and Resilience

Reaves Chapel in Navassa is one of the few remaining landmarks in the region tied to the Gullah Geechee. The church was constructed between 1860 and 1880 by formerly enslaved individuals from Cedar Hill Plantation on the western bank of the Cape Fear River. In 2019, the Cedar Hill West Bank Heritage Foundation and the Coastal Land Trust embarked on a mission to restore this historic site. Their efforts culminated in a dedication ceremony in March 2025.  Historical markers on the property provide insights about rice cultivation, plantations, and resources for visitors to learn more.

Connecting History: Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail

The Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail allows visitors to learn more about historical sites, one step at a time. The Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail Feasibility Study, by the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, proposes a 14-mile multi-use trail, in nearby Brunswick County, that would connect historical sites with local parks. Implementation is underway, with some sections of the trail already completed and others in various stages of planning or construction. When complete the trail will consist of nine segments.

While visiting Wilmington, explore the unique Gullah Geechee traditions, art, and cuisine, and preserve the legacy of this invaluable culture.