Mission Statement:

"To advance through research, education and symposia, an increased public awareness of the Cape Fear region's unique history."

The Bellamy Mansion: Antebellum Masterpiece

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"My father's residence, which was seized by the Federal authorities and occupied as the Federal headquarters (in 1865), was erected by him immediately preceding the Civil War. Its construction began in 1857 and was completed the latter part of 1859, or early in 1860. In the construction of this residence, it is remarkable that all the carpentry work was performed by Negroes, chiefly free Negroes. The masonry and plaster work, the cornices and other ornamental work on the walls was also

done by Negroes. As a matter of fact, in antebellum days white men generally refused to ply the trade of carpenters and masons, thinking it beneath their dignity. So the employment of the Negro carpenters and masons was not a matter of choice, but one of necessity."

Memoirs of An Octogenarian, John D. Bellamy, 1941