Civil War Discussion: Defense of Wilmington, North Carolina

Visit the Museum on Friday afternoon to enjoy lunch in the Mariners’ Park Café and stimulating Civil War discussion with renowned historian, John Quarstein. Visit the Museum on Friday afternoon to enjoy lunch in the Mariners’ Park Café while engaging in lively and informative Civil War discussions with renowned historian, John Quarstein. There is no charge to participate. Lunch will be available for purchase at the café!

Wilmington was the Confederacy's major outlet to the world and a center of blockade running activities. Consequently, it was heavily defended by a series of fortifications. The two most prominent defenses were Fort Fisher guarding the New Inlet, and Fort Caswell overlooking the Old Inlet. Wilmington was located 20 miles up the Cape Fear River from these fortifications and was the last blockade running port to be captured by the Union in January 1865.