WILMINGTON DESIGNATED WWII HERITAGE CITY

On Sept. 2, 2020, to commemorate 75 years since the war ended, Wilmington became the first city in the country to be designated as a ‘‘World War II Heritage City’’ by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The designation celebrates contributions by Wilmington to the World War II home-front war effort. From the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (a WWII memorial credited with 15 battle stars) and Hannah Block Historic USO Building with its WWII homefront heritage lobby display in downtown Wilmington to Fort Fisher State Historic Site (where WWII soldiers were trained) and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (where a WWII bunker remains a hidden gem today), the area’s historic contribution to the war effort is evidenced throughout the city and island beaches. Exhibits at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Wilmington Railroad Museum also interpret Wilmington’s role during World War II.

Read more about the military history of Wilmington HERE or craft your own self-guided tour by downloading the WWII Heritage Guide Map.