Cape Fear Museum of History and Science facts for kids
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| Established | 1898 |
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| Location | Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Type | Museum |
The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is a museum in downtown Wilmington. Founded in 1898, it is the oldest history museum in the state of North Carolina. It's a place where you can explore the history, science, and culture of the region.
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About the Museum
The museum first opened in 1898. Its original purpose was to keep artifacts from the Civil War safe. Today, the museum is much larger and is run by New Hanover County.
The building itself is a mix of old and new. Part of it was an armory built in the 1930s, and a new section was added in the 1990s. The museum has a huge collection of over 52,000 items, though most are kept in storage to protect them. The items on display tell the story of the Lower Cape Fear area.
What is the Lower Cape Fear?
The museum focuses on the history of the "Lower Cape Fear." This is the area within a 50-mile circle around the city of Wilmington. It includes New Hanover county and the nearby counties of Brunswick and Pender.
What to See Inside
The museum has many exciting exhibits spread across its floors. You can learn about everything from local animals to important historical events.
First Floor Exhibits
When you enter the museum, you can explore several cool areas on the first floor.
Nature and Science
The Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery is a great place to start. It teaches you about the different ecosystems in the area. You can see displays about native plants and animals like deer, beavers, foxes, and woodpeckers. There's even an exhibit on the Venus flytrap, a famous meat-eating plant that grows nearby.
You can also see the bones of a Giant Ground Sloth, an amazing creature that lived long ago. In the lobby, you'll find a locally built boat called a Simmons Sea-skiff.
Local History
The main exhibit, Cape Fear Stories, also begins on the first floor. It starts with the history of the first people who lived in the area and continues through the American Revolution. You can also learn about the 19th century and the American Civil War.
There is also a small exhibit about basketball legend Michael Jordan, who grew up in Wilmington.
Second Floor Exhibits
When you go upstairs, the Cape Fear Stories exhibit continues. This section explores the 20th century. It includes information about the difficult period of racial conflict in the city in 1898 and the time of segregation.
The museum also has special exhibits that change from time to time. These are often created by the museum's own staff. One past exhibit was about simple machines used in boat work, while another showed what school was like in the 1800s.
