Best Historical Society Wilmington Near Me

4worldlovers: Shop from our curated selection of vendors, selling upcycled goods, handcrafted wares, vintage finds, and antique treasures!

Since 1966, HWF has preserved and protected our region’s built history utilizing a revolving fund, preservation easements, education, advocacy, and more. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HWF serves New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties.

To preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic resources of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear region.

4worldlovers: Cape Fear Museum of History and Science announces the opening of Dinosaurs Take Flight, our newest traveling exhibition. Dinosaurs are taken to new heights in this elegant exhibition engaging visitors at the intersection of art, science, and history. Read on...

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science announces the opening of Fire!, our newest in-house exhibition. Museum staff researched, curated, designed and fabricated this dynamic, dramatic exhibition. Read on...

4worldlovers:
Guided audio tour (smartphone required; bring earbuds or headphones for best experience)


Premium in-person tours offered at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm when available. Call to check.

4worldlovers: On March 18th, 2023, FPHPS lost one of our loved members, Andrew Emile ”Punky” Kure: The last living grandchild of Hans and Ellen Kure, founders of Kure Beach and the last to carry the Kure name.


His funeral was a standing only room at Kure Memorial Lutheran Church with Pastor Don Keek presiding. Musician Kristin McAuliffe provided a musical theme to represent Punky’s passing.


Time of Sharing his legacy to Kure Beach and the Fire Department of Kure Beach given by friends Mike Waters, David Heglar, Ed Kennedy (Kure Beach Fire Chief), Military Honors and Firefighters Honors; The Last Alarm To Punky Kure, ”This is our last call for Punky Kure on the Loud Speaker from the Fire House.”

Punky will be missed by all and our History Center, FPHPS, loved hearing all his stories of him as a young boy growing up on Kure Beach. He will be greatly missed as a member of the community and a friend to many on the island.

There’s a saying that there’s “Old” and there’s “Bold”, but there is no “Old Bold”. When it comes to my old friend, Punky Kure, I can prove otherwise.

What man joins the Marine Corps at 17 to serve on the USS Birmingham during World War II? I would say only the Bold. What man in his youth would be interested in flying? I would say only the Bold again.

What man would take a job flying a small plane, searching for and spotting menhaden fish from Louisiana all the way to New York? This too was Bold. Landing a plane anywhere from cow pastures to the sandy beach took Bold.