Cape Fear Museum Closes Ahead of Relocation

The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science has announced its closing date as it prepares to move to a new downtown location. The current museum, located at 814 Market St., will close to the public at 5 p.m. on December 31. This closure is necessary to facilitate the relocation of over 400 artifacts to the new building at 230 Grace St. The process of moving the artifacts and setting up new exhibits is expected to take approximately seven months, with the new museum anticipated to open in July 2026.

The new facility, known as Project Grace, is set to become a cultural hub for residents and visitors alike. It will be anchored by the museum and the public library, offering a range of cultural and educational experiences. According to museum director Kate Baillon, the team has worked for years to develop exhibition content that will bring a modern, state-of-the-art cultural amenity to New Hanover County. The new space will provide a dynamic and immersive educational experience that celebrates the region’s history, science, and cultures.

The current museum will remain open for regular business hours until December 31, with operating hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The museum will be closed on December 24, 25, and 26. Meanwhile, the existing building and park on Market Street will continue to operate as an exhibition design and fabrication workshop, dedicated research facility, and collections management complex.

What's Coming to the New Museum?

The new Cape Fear Museum in the Grace District will feature a variety of exciting additions. Permanent exhibitions, classrooms, and an outdoor terrace are among the highlights. One of the most significant features is a 60-seat immersive planetarium theater, which will host a range of educational shows. Other attractions include hands-on science exhibits, an outdoor learning gallery, imaginative play spaces for young children, and an interactive gallery focused on the Lower Cape Fear history.

A 5,000-square-foot rotating gallery will showcase traveling exhibitions. The first exhibit, "Amazing Pollinators," will be a game-based survival adventure exploring the importance of pollinators. This exhibition will open in August 2026 and remain on display through January 2027.

Related: What's Next for the Old Building?

With a new downtown Wilmington library set to open, there are plans for the old building. Curator Heather Yenco has been working to select which artifacts to display in the new museum. The new location will allow the museum to showcase items that have been stored for years. Wilmington's film history will be prominently featured, including props and set pieces from popular TV shows like "One Tree Hill" and "Dawson's Creek," as well as the 1990 live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Baillon and Yenco are particularly excited about displaying a wicker body basket. This item was used by an African American funeral home to transport bodies from where they died to the funeral home. It is a sturdy and lightweight piece that could be reused multiple times. Yenco explained that this artifact is a great example of an African American business in Wilmington and will be used to tell that story.

The Cape Fear Museum is accredited through the American Alliance of Museums, an achievement earned by only 3% of museums nationwide. The museum initially received accreditation in 2000 and is one of two in New Hanover County. The Cameron Art Museum achieved accreditation in July.

What's in the Library?

The new Main Library branch in downtown Wilmington, which opened in October, offers a variety of amenities and services for New Hanover’s 130,000 library card holders. The library includes designated spaces for young children, teens, and nonprofit organizations. A multi-purpose auditorium equipped with audio and visual equipment hosts various events, including the Cape Fear Book Festival.

The library houses over 100,000 materials, including books, DVDs, magazines, and historical archives. Desktop computers and laptops are available for use on the premises, and four study rooms can be reserved for private use. The 95,000-square-foot building cost approximately $77 million to construct.

Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.