Historic Wilmington Finds New Home in Cemetery

By Roderick McClain

02-11-11 –

Since 1966 the Historic Wilmington Foundation has worked to protect and preserve the historic resources of the Cape Fear Region. In its 45th year, the nonprofit has a new location at the Superintendent's Lodge of the Wilmington National Cemetery.

George Edwards is the executive director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation. He says neighborhoods adjacent to the new headquarters neighborhoods like Carolina Place and Carolina Heights were the first wave of development outside of downtown.

"The expansion of the city and the introduction of the streetcar, and even later, the introduction of the automobile afforded people the opportunity to move away from the core and move out into more suburban neighborhoods."

The foundation is gearing up for the annual Azalea Festival Historic Wilmington House Tour in April. The Foundation also recently partnered with Wilmington Downtown to submit a preservation ordinance proposal to the city for review. A hearing for the proposal will begin next month.