Wilmington

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

Museum · 814 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401

The primary local history museum for the Wilmington and Cape Fear region, with collections covering the Revolutionary War period: the Moore's Creek campaign, the British occupation of 1781, the Cornwallis headquarters, and the role of the Cape Fear port in supplying both sides during the conflict.

Cornwallis House Site

Landmark · Market St area, Wilmington, NC 28401

The site on Market Street where General Cornwallis headquartered in April 1781 while his army rested at Wilmington following the Guilford Courthouse campaign. It was here that Cornwallis made the decision to march north into Virginia rather than south to reinforce British positions in South Carolina — one of the most consequential command decisions of the war. A marker identifies the site.

Moore's Creek National Battlefield

Battlefield · 40 Patriots Hall Dr, Currie, NC 28435

The site of the February 27, 1776 Patriot ambush that destroyed the Loyalist Highland Tory army. Patriot forces under Caswell and Lillington removed the bridge planks, greased the stringers, and positioned artillery. The battle lasted roughly three minutes and ended Loyalist military power in North Carolina. An NPS-managed site with a reconstructed bridge and interpretive trail.

Oakdale Cemetery

Cemetery · 520 N 15th St, Wilmington, NC 28401

Established 1855 but incorporating colonial-era grave sites; Oakdale is the primary historic cemetery of Wilmington and contains graves of Revolutionary War veterans and Cape Fear families whose ancestors participated in the Moore's Creek campaign and the 1781 occupation. A register of Revolutionary War veterans buried here documents Wilmington's contribution to the Patriot cause.

St. James Episcopal Church

Church · 25 S Third St, Wilmington, NC 28401

One of the oldest congregations in the Cape Fear region, established 1729. The current building dates to 1839, but the church community spanned the colonial and Revolutionary periods. During Craig's 1781 occupation, the church served British and Loyalist needs; the congregation divided along Patriot and Loyalist lines as the war tore through Wilmington's social fabric.