Mission Statement:
"To advance through research, education and symposia, an increased public awareness of the Cape Fear region's unique history."
Historic Wilmington Walking Tours
Enjoy a memorable walking tour of old Wilmington as
CFHI Director Bernhard Thuersam leads your group
around the historic blocks and buildings that were witness
to presidents, statesmen and generals, from colonial times
through the antebellum and War Between the States era --
and beyond.
No other tours are as unique and informative!
Bernhard Thuersam, Director
Cape Fear Historical Institute
"Colonial & Antebellum Wilmington Tour"
This unique tour visits the sites where George Washington
was feted by Wilmingtonians on his "Southern Tour" in 1791;
as well as locations where General Benjamin Smith,
James Monroe, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, James Polk
and others were welcomed and entertained
while visiting Wilmington.
Wilmington's only "Confederate Wilmington Tour" will
present an overview of Wilmington's activities after
South Carolina's secession in December 1860, and point
out the historic sites where local citizens and militia
companies departed by boat to seize forts at the
mouth of the Cape Fear River.
On the tour you will walk in the footsteps of
Jefferson Davis and Generals Lee, Beauregard, Bragg,
French and Whiting, as well as the homes of prominent Wilmingtonians who served in various
North Carolina regiments.
This unique tour is specially-prepared for Southern heritage
and history groups who want to complement their visits to
area forts with an expertly guided tour of Wilmington's
historic downtown of the antebellum and
War Between the States era.
Tour rates are $20 per person,
3 or more $15 per person, cash or checks are welcome
and we are dog-friendly. Children 12-16 are $10 each.
Please call 910.619.4619 or email
bernhard1848@att.net for more information.
Private and personalized tours available,
as well as step-on services, please call for pricing.
CFHI LECTURES, EVENTS & SYMPOSIA:
January 21, 2011
Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson Day Observance
Wayne, Johnston & Lenoir County SCV
Kinston, North Carolina
Keynote Speaker, Bernhard Thuersam, CFHI Director
May 20, 2011
Sesquicentennial Observance of NC Secession Ordinance
Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (FILI) Museum
Historic Fayetteville, North Carolina
Presentation by Bernhard Thuersam, CFHI Director.
May 10, 2011
Memorial Day Address, Cross Creek Cemetery.
Historic Fayetteville, North Carolina
Address by Bernhard Thuersam, Director, CFHI
April 26, 2011
Wayne County Museum of History
Goldsboro, North Carolina
"Wilmington During the Secession Crisis, 1860-1861"
Lecture presentation by Bernhard Thuersam, DDirector, CFHI.
February 24-27, 2011
Cape Fear Club, Historic Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
(CFHI sponsorship)
Ninth Annual Abbeville Institute Scholars' Conference
"The South and America's Wars"
May 22, 2010
Harmony Hall Plantation Living History
White Oak, North Carolina
"Bladen County History: 1730-1865"
Lecture Presentation by Bernhard Thuersam, Director CFHI
November 21, 2009
Wallace Historic Railroad Depot (Restored)
Wallace, North Carolina
CFHI Information Booth & Period Reenactors
October 10, 2009
Sampson County Historical Museum
Clinton, North Carolina
CFHI Information Booth & Period Reenactors.
April 4th & 5th, 2009
The North Carolina Azalea Festival
Historic Downtown Wilmington
Please visit the CFHI Information Booth near the Hilton Hotel.
June 3rd, 2008
"Walk Through Wilmington History"
Historic Downtown Wilmington Walking Tour
Steven McAllister, Historian
(Sponsored by the CFHI)
May 21st & 22nd, 2004
Lincoln Reconsidered Conference
Speakers Dr. Clyde N. Wilson, Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo
Historic Downtown Wilmington
(Sponsored by the CFHI)
May 9th, 2004
Black Soldiers in Union & Confederate Service
Alexander McAllister Cheek, Historian
(Sponsored by the CFHI)
©2006 Cape Fear Historical Institute