Author: Ruth Shore Stewart
Do you like to find cool stuff off the beaten path? Just 22 miles south of Wilmington, there is a hidden gem to include on your travel itinerary. Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site covers two centuries, including significant colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War history. The colonial port of Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. This location on the Cape Fear River remained strategically important years later during the Civil War when the Confederate Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site. This remarkable location is worth the wander for anyone who loves exploring military history and architectural ruins.
Here are our top 5 suggested Things To Do at Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site:
- Get oriented at the Visitor Center
Start your visit at the newly renovated Visitor Center. Here you’ll have an an overview of everything encompassed at the historic site, including an audio-visual program. In the museum, you’ll see a recreated bombproof, artifacts from the fort and information on torpedo warfare and the Cape Fear River Defenses. Pick up a self-guided tour map before starting your exploration of the grounds.
- Explore the Ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church and Brunswick Town
Image Caption/photo credit: Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
The most remarkable structure remaining from colonial Brunswick Town is St. Philips Church. Built around 1740, the building is mostly intact except for the floor and ceiling. The three-foot thick walls were constructed with brick brought from England. Visitors are free to roam in and around the structure, where you’ll get a sense of the once awe-inspiring grandeur this sacred space brought to the village. The site is also the final resting place for royal governor Arthur Dobbs and the infant son of royal governor William Tryon.
The fully ADA-accessible trail loop around the site will take you through the ruins of the village.
- Explore the Earthen Fortifications of Fort Anderson
Image Caption/photo credit: The working 32-pounder sea coast cannon used in weapons demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
Fort Anderson, a Civil War earthen fortification, was constructed in 1862. The fort protected the Cape Fear River channel to the port of Wilmington, a major supply line to the Confederate forces. On February 19, 1865, a severe bombardment by the Union navy and an encircling movement by Union land forces caused the Confederates to abandon Fort Anderson.
- Find a Fox Squirrel
Image Caption/photo credit: A black Fox squirrel with a white nose and white ears on the ground. Photo courtesy of Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site.
Take a nature walk on the ¾-mile nature trail along the Cape Fear River and see if you can spot one of our favorite locals. A healthy population of North Carolina’s native Eastern fox squirrels calls this historic site home. They can be elusive, so look carefully! You’re most likely to see them during the morning hours or on drizzly days. Fox squirrels live in old-growth longleaf and mature pine and oak forests. They are about 3 times the size of the common gray squirrel, and move a bit slower.
- Attend History Programs and Cultural Events
Image Caption/photo credit: A group of people holding candles inside the ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church at night. Photo courtesy of NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Throughout the year, this site hosts immersive programming that brings history to life for visitors. Check their Upcoming Events page for special events like the annual Rice Festival. This cultural celebration highlights the history of rice farming in the area and showcases the region’s unique status in the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor. Another popular annual event is their 18th Century Christmas celebration that includes a candlelit service in the ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church.
More to Explore:
Image Caption/photo credit: A baby loggerhead sea turtle swimming in a tank at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site is truly a hidden gem. While you’re in the area, take the time to explore these nearby attractions:
- Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington is an authentically restored National Historic Landmark that serves as the state’s World War II Memorial. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Allow about 2 hours to explore the ship’s 9 levels.
- In nearby Kure Beach, visit three great attractions within one square mile! Fort Fisher State Historic Site preserves the remains of this Confederate earthen fort. Have a beach day or do some bird-watching on the trails at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Take another day to explore the underwater wonders at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
- Look for the North Carolina native Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants on the Flytrap Trails at Carolina Beach State Park.
- Explore the maritime history of the Cape Fear region at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport.
Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson State Historic Site
Location: Winnabow, NC
County: Brunswick
Region: Coast
Interest Area: History