Bellamy Mansion Museum

Visitors can explore the entirety of this 22-room Civil War era mansion as well as one of the best preserved examples of slave quarters in the country.

Pay a visit to the Bellamy Mansion Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina to bask in its history and architectural grandeur. Built for Dr. John D. Bellamy between the years of 1859 and 1861, when Wilmington was the top dog in the naval stores industry, this 10,000-square-foot mansion is renowned for its combination of Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. Nowadays, the Bellamy Mansion Museum stands as a tribute to the history of the American South.

At the Bellamy Mansion Museum, visitors can explore the entirety of the 22-room house, which offers a glimpse into the lives of the 10 members of the Bellamy family as well as their 9 slaves, who lived in the outbuildings on the property. Guided tours are available or you can opt to take a self-guided one, too. The slave quarters here are one of the most well-preserved examples in the country. Research was also conducted for two years in the 1990s to restore the lush gardens that Mrs. Bellamy started at the end of the Civil War.

This beloved Wilmington landmark tells an integral story that helps us learn and understand. Whether you're a history buff, an appreciator of architecture and landscaping, or looking to expand your knowledge, visiting the Bellamy Mansion Museum should be at the top of your list of things to do while in Wilmington.