Session 1: Arts, History & Culture

Our first Leadership Wilmington session brought our class together for a full day focused on Arts, History & Culture in Wilmington. Through conversations with local leaders, a walking tour through downtown, and visits to several of the city’s cultural institutions, we explored the people, places and stories that have shaped our community and continue to influence its future.
Throughout the day, each session and experience offered a different perspective on Wilmington, from understanding the history behind the city we see today to learning how our arts and cultural organizations are preserving that history, creating meaningful experiences and preparing for what’s ahead.
History of Wilmington
We began our day with Jan Davidson, Historian with the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, who helped us look at Wilmington through the lens of its long and complex history. From pre-colonial times to the present, Wilmington’s story has been shaped by its location along the Cape Fear River, its role as a major port and the many communities who have called this area home.
 
We learned about the Native American communities who lived in the region long before Wilmington was established and explored how the city grew into an important center for trade and commerce. We also learned about a period when Wilmington was a prosperous and racially integrated city before that progress was violently disrupted.
 
One of the most significant parts of the conversation was learning about the Wilmington Coup of 1898 and its lasting impact on our community. The overthrow of Wilmington’s elected Fusionist government by white supremacists was not simply an event in the city’s past. It fundamentally changed the political, economic and social landscape of Wilmington and had consequences that continue to shape the community today.
 
Having that historical context at the beginning of our day made our later experiences even more meaningful. We would soon walk through the same downtown streets where many of these events unfolded, giving us the opportunity to connect what we learned in the classroom to the places where Wilmington’s history actually happened.
Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County
We next heard from Rhonda Bellamy, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, who gave us a glimpse into the role the arts play in building and strengthening a community.
 
Our conversation highlighted the many ways local arts organizations, artists and community partners contribute to Wilmington’s cultural identity and create opportunities for people to experience, participate in and connect through the arts. We also learned about some of the programs and resources that help support the local arts community, as well as ways residents can engage with what is happening throughout the region.
 
One opportunity that stood out was Fourth Friday Gallery Nights, which gives the community a chance to explore galleries, studios and creative spaces throughout downtown Wilmington. Learning about these events was another reminder that our local arts scene is not limited to traditional museums or theaters. There are opportunities throughout the community to discover local artists, support creative work and experience Wilmington in a different way.
Downtown Wilmington History Walk
After learning about Wilmington’s history, we had the opportunity to experience it firsthand during a Downtown Wilmington History Walk led by Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at UNC Wilmington and founder of True History Tours.
 
Beginning within view of the Cape Fear River, Dr. Fonvielle helped us understand how Wilmington developed around the river and how its location shaped the city’s growth. We explored a map of the river and surrounding area, learning more about the development of the port and the role Wilmington played in the region over time.
 
As we walked through downtown, we visited historic homes, cemeteries, theaters and spiritual establishments while hearing stories that brought the city’s past to life. We learned about Wilmington’s role in the American Revolution, including the region’s connection to one of the war’s first major American victories and the multiple stays of Lord Cornwallis.
 
We also explored Wilmington’s Civil War history and its importance as a lifeline for the Confederacy, as well as the experiences of African Americans before and after the war. Perhaps most impactful was being able to stand in the same downtown spaces where the events surrounding the 1898 Wilmington Coup unfolded.
 
After hearing about the Coup earlier in the day, physically standing in the places where people gathered and where these events took place made the history feel much more immediate. The walk was a reminder that Wilmington’s history is not confined to books or museums. It is visible in the streets, buildings and spaces we pass every day.
Cape Fear Community College WIlson Center Tour
Our next stop brought us inside the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, where Senior Managing Director Tammy Daniels gave us an inside look at what it takes to bring a major performing arts venue to life.
 
Rather than simply sitting in the audience, we had the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes. We toured the theater, backstage areas, dressing rooms and green room while learning more about the many moving pieces that come together before an audience ever takes its seat.
 
Tammy also gave us a broader look at the theater industry, from performance and production to marketing and audience engagement. Seeing the different roles involved in creating a successful show gave us a new appreciation for how much work happens behind the curtain.
 
The experience was a great example of how cultural institutions are not only places where people gather to experience art and entertainment, but also important employers, economic contributors and community spaces. It was fascinating to see how creativity, business and community engagement come together under one roof.
Tour of Thalian Hall
Our fifth stop of the day brought us to Thalian Hall, where we had the chance to learn more about the history of one of Wilmington’s most recognizable landmarks and get a look at what is ahead for the historic venue.
During our tour, we learned about Thalian Hall’s long history as a gathering place for the Wilmington community and the important role it has played in the city for generations. But just as interesting was learning about its future.
We got a glimpse at plans for the upcoming expansion and how the additional space will allow Thalian Hall to grow its programming and serve the community in new ways. Seeing those plans while walking through such a historic building highlighted the balance between preserving what makes a place special and allowing it to evolve alongside the community it serves.
Cameron Art Museum Tour
Our final off-site stop took us to Cameron Art Museum, where we explored art through several very different experiences.
We began with an exhibition focused on Gullah Geechee culture and history, which offered a deeper look at the traditions, stories and experiences of a community with deep roots in the coastal Southeast.
From there, we stepped into Andy Warhol’s Silver Clouds, an interactive installation filled with floating silver forms that visitors can move and interact with. The playful experience was a reminder that art does not always have to be observed from a distance. Sometimes, we are invited to become part of it.
Our visit concluded outside with Boundless, a sculpture by North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes honoring the United States Colored Troops who fought at the Battle of Forks Road on the very grounds where Cameron Art Museum stands today. Learning the history of the site and then seeing the figures represented in Boundless made the story especially impactful. It connected the history we were learning directly to the place where we were standing.
Reflecting on Arts, History & Culture
From hearing directly from local historians and arts leaders to walking the streets where Wilmington’s history unfolded and experiencing some of our community’s most significant cultural institutions, our first Leadership Wilmington session gave us a deeper understanding of the city we call home.
Throughout the day, we saw how Wilmington’s past continues to shape its identity, but we also learned about the people and organizations working to carry that history and culture forward. Whether through preservation, education, art, performance or community investment, each experience showed us a different way that leaders can help strengthen the connection between a community and its story.
As we wrapped up our first session, one takeaway stood out: understanding where our community has been is an important part of helping shape where it goes next. It was a meaningful start to Leadership Wilmington 2027 and a reminder of how much there is to learn when we take the time to experience our community from a new perspective.