Travel with Marilyn

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Articles
  • Bucket List
  • Travel Photos
  • Work with me
Home  /  Home Page Slider • Uncategorized  /  Time Travel in Wilmington, NC

Time Travel in Wilmington, NC

Colonized in the 1720s, Wilmington prospered as an English settlement because of its location on the Cape Fear River. It grew into a busy port community with new residents flocking to the area from colonies throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.

For anyone curious about what it was like for the wealthy during this time, they can tour Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens. It is the only structure in Wilmington from the colonial era that is open to the public.

I am greeted by Darrien Baily, a young man with a big smile and friendly manner who makes me feel right at home in this mansion built in 1770.

A fine example of Georgian architecture, Baily explains the town home was built for the wealthy merchant and planter, John Burgwin. Baily takes me through the parlor, dining room, Burgwin’s office and library, and upstairs to several bedrooms. Room to room, he points out treasured 18th and 19th century antiques. He also explains the history of the Burgwin family and Thomas Grainger Wright who purchased the house in 1799.

After touring the inside of the home, he takes me outside to the freestanding kitchen with a massive hearth, taking up most of one wall, and period cooking utensils. “School children love to guess what these utensils were used for,” he says.

“The house was actually built on the foundation of a former city jail built around 1744,” he explains as I leave the kitchen where he shows me evidence of jail cells.

Even after the house tour, I have a lot more to explore. The property sets on an acre of land. The house is surrounded by a beautiful understated garden.

Wilmington is a historic treasure from its colonial beginnings through the centuries. Other houses open for tour include Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design, Poplar Grove Plantation and Latimer House Museum.

For more articles about North Carolina, click here.

Tags: North Carolina
Previous Article
Next Article

About Author

marilynjones

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

Related Posts

  • North Carolina Museum of Art is a Raleigh Treasure

  • Jackson County, NC; a Gem in the Mountains

  • Traces of Hollywood in North Carolina

About Me

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

Social Media

My Instagram

travelingwithmarilyn

Good Enough Silver Mine in Tombstone, #Arizona @ Good Enough Silver Mine in Tombstone, #Arizona 

@discovertombstone #travel #traveling #travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger
The sun sets in Tombstone, #Arizona. @visittombst The sun sets in Tombstone, #Arizona.

@visittombstone #sunset #travelphotography #travel #traveling #travelgram #travelblogger
Sunset in Tombstone, #Arizona. @visittombstone #h Sunset in Tombstone, #Arizona.

@visittombstone #history
#travel #traveling #travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #sunset
The Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona. The Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona.

@crystalpalacetombstone @visittombstone #travelphotography #travelphotography #traveling #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #Arizona
Historic Tombstone, Arizona. @visittombstone #Ari Historic Tombstone, Arizona.

@visittombstone #Arizona #history #travel #travelphotography #traveling #travelgram #travelblogger
Historic Mesilla festival near Las Cruces, New Mex Historic Mesilla festival near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Las Cruces, New Mexico celebration in Historic Mes Las Cruces, New Mexico celebration in Historic Mesilla.

@visitlascruces #visitlascrucesnewmexico #festival #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveling #travelblogger #travelphotography
White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mex White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mex White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mex White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, NM. @v White Sands National Park near Las Cruces, NM.

@visitlascruces @whitesandsnps #newmexico #travel #nationalpark #travelphotography #traveling #travelgram
Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas; still life, 1928 k Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas; still life, 1928 kitchen.

@visitabilene @thegracemuseum #visitabilene
#museum #travel #travelphotography #traveling #travelgram
Frontier Texas! museum in Abeline, Texas Frontier Texas! museum in Abeline, Texas
Frontier Texas! museum in Abeline, Texas. Frontier Texas! museum in Abeline, Texas.
Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America. There are storybook sculptures in the city including "Green Eggs and Ham."
Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America. There a storybook sculptures in the city including "Duck on a Bike."
Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America Abilene, Texas is the Storybook Capital of America. All over the city are sculptures of storybooks including this one "Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo."

@visitabilene @storybookcapitalofamerica #children #books #Texas #Abilene #travel #traveling #travelgram #travelphotography
Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas.

@taylorcountyhistorycenter @visitabilene #visitabilene #Texas #Abilene #travelphotography  #travel #traveling #museum
Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas.

@taylorcountyhistorycenter @visitabilene #visitabilene #Texas #Abilene #traveling #museum #travel #travelgram #travelphotography
Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas Taylor County History Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas.

@taylorcountyhistorycenter @visitabilene #visitabilene #museum #travel #travelblogger #travelphotography #traveling #travelgram #Texas #Abilene
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Keywords

Africa Alabama AmaWaterways Arizona Bella Guatemala Travel Bermuda book review California Cambodia Canada Carnival Cruise Line Charleston Christmas Christmas Market Cruise Ecuador Egypt Exodus Travels family travel Florida G Adventures Germany Guatemala guidebook Italy Jordan Louisiana Mississippi Movie Locations museum New Mexico North Carolina packing tips Portugal product reviews road trip Santa Fe South Africa South Carolina Texas Turkey UNESCO Vicksburg Viking Ocean Cruises Viking River Cruises

Join my travel club.

Be the first to learn about my adventures and special promotions, by signing up for my FREE newsletter.