History ~ NC Coast Tourism

1. Bellamy Mansion -  Wilmington NC - Antebellum house was used in 1865 as Union military headquarters following the surrender of Wilmington. Guided tours and exhibitions. book hotels nearby in Wilmington North Carolina Hotels.
2. Museum of the Albemarle - Elizabeth City NC - The museum features an overview of the Civil War i the Albemarle region. Other exhibits explore slavery and antebellum plantation life. book hotels nearby in  Elizabeth City North Carolina hotels
3. Cape Fear Museum - Wilmington NC - Established in 1898 to house Confederate relics, the museum's exhibits explore the history of Wilmington, blockade running and the Battle of Fort Fisher. book hotels nearby in  Wilmington North Carolina Hotels
4. Carteret County Museum of History and Art - Morehead City NC - features an exhibit on the Civil War as well as a research library that contains extensive sources for genealogy and Civil War research. book hotels nearby in Morehead City North Carolina hotels
5. Battle of Chicamacomico Races - Rodanthe NC - Outdoor display - part of the Dare county Civil War Trail, the monument at the site commemorates the battle later known as the Chicmacomico Races, a futile attempt by the Confederacy to retake Hatteras Island, book hotels nearby in Buxton North Carolina hotels
6. CSS Neuse State Historic Site - Kingston NC (near New Bern) - Built to recapture Union held New Bern the ironclad  gunboat CSS Neuse was set afire and sunk to avoid capture after the crew shelled advancing Union cavalry outside Kinston. The Neuse is one of only three recovered Civil War ironclads on display. book hotels nearby in New Bern North Carolina hotels.
7. Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center - South Mills NC - The Battle of South Mills was fought to capture control of the Dismal Swamp Canal, an important transportation route. book hotels nearby in  Elizabeth City North Carolina hotels
8. Fort Macon State Park - Atlantic Beach NC - A casemated seacoast fort built for defense of the Beaufort harbor, Fort Macon was seized by Confederates in 1861 and recaptured by Union forces in April 1862 after a land and sea bombardment. Area open to the public include restored rooms and a museum.  book hotels nearby in Atlantic Beach North Carolina Hotels
9. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site - Manteo NC - Fort Raleigh contains several exhibits on the Civil War and the Freedmen's Colony including original newspaper articles and maps from the Atlantic Campaign. A Collection of reproduction civilian / military clothing and weapons is displayed.
10. Fort Fisher State Historic Site - Kure Beach NC - Fort Fisher protected blockade runners en route to Wilmington with supplies vital to  the Confederate armies. It was the largest of the earthen fortification in the Confederacy, Fell in January 1865. Regular events include Civil War reenactments, costumed interpreters and guided tours.
11. Fort Anderson State Historic Site / Brunswick Town - Winnabow NC - This fort was part of the Cape Fear defenses. After its fall in February 1865, Wilmington and the supply lies to Lee's army came under Union control. book hotels nearby in  Wilmington North Carolina Hotels
12. First Freedmen's Colony (outdoor display) - Manteo NC - Outside exhibit shows the African American condition in the 1860s and life in what was America's first Freedmen's colony
13. Josiah Bell House - Beaufort NC - Tours of historic Beaufort include the Josiah Bell House, home of a Civil War spy, Confederate and Union graves in the Old Burying ground and St Paul's Church. Also at Beaufort is a colonial village that features stocks and pillars, the old jail house, an old loom and spinning wheel, more.  book hotels nearby in Atlantic Beach North Carolina Hotels
14. Poplar Grove Historic Plantation - Wilmington NC - Costumed guides lead tours of this antebellum plantation. Period demonstrations and exhibits help visitors learn more about lifestyles of the plantation residents. book hotels nearby in Wilmington North Carolina Hotels
15. Port Of Plymouth Civil War Museum - Plymouth NC -  Informative displays with may artifacts and photographs interpret the Battle of Plymouth, ram Albemarle and the Union occupation of the town. book hotels nearby in Plymouth North Carolina hotels
16. Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum - Ocracoke NC - The museum presents an exhibit with artifacts from Confederate Fort Ocracoke (now submerged in adjacent inlet) Other exhibits deal with the community's lifestyle, maritime past and unique dialect.
17. New Bern Academy Museum - New Bern NC -  The New Bern Academy Museum relates the history of New Bern. One gallery focuses on the Civil War in the town and related African American history. Uniforms and other military artifacts are displayed. book hotels nearby in New Bern North Carolina hotels.
18. Wyse Fork Battlefield - Kinston NC - At Wyse Fork, Confederate troops tried to halt General Schofield's march on Goldsboro. Unable to do more than delay the Union movement the confederates left the area to join the attack at Bentonville. book hotels nearby in New Bern North Carolina hotels.
19. First Provisional Government of the Civil War - Hatteras NC - Part of Dare County Civil War Tail, this site recognizes America's first efforts at reconciliation during the occupation. Granite marker also relates Hatteras Islands response to the capture of Forts Clark and Hatteras by Union Forces. book hotels nearby in Buxton North Carolina hotels
20. Onslow County Museum - Wilmington NC - Civil War exhibit focuses on Onslow County's role in the coastal region. Features Civil War uniforms, firearms, rosters, letters and other artifacts and a description of the Battle of New River. book hotels nearby in Wilmington North Carolina Hotels

More North Carolina Civil War Battlefields & Museums

Resource: North Carolina Civil War heritage Trails pamphlet