Some More on the New Fort Fisher Visitors Center

From February 21, 2024, BNN Breaking  "Reviving history:  Fort Fisher's new visitor center aims to redefine historical exploration in Kure Beach" by Sakchi Khandelwal.

It's been a journey of persistence and vision, starting in 2009, to bring the new visitor center to Fort Fisher from conception to construction.  Now, with the project underway and scheduled to be completed by Labor Day things are moving along swiftly.

Jim Steele, the Fort Fisher Historic Site Manager, says:  "The new center is not just a building; it's a gateway for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of our history."

The budget for the whole undertaking is $25 million.  Throughout the whole process, feedback from the public has been a cornerstone of it.

--Old B-R'er

Fort Fisher State Historic Site to Hold Living History Program

Okay, I kind of missed printing this before the date it happened.  My excuse is, "I forgot to run it."  However, it's good to see the Fruends of Fort Fisher, to which I belong, getting operative again after you-know-what.

From the May 24, 2022,  WECT (Wilmington, N.C.)

In coordination with a Friends of Fort Fisher capital campaign to fund new earthwork projects at the site, a living history program  will be held on Saturday, June 11.

It is a free event and will highlight the history of the blockade runner Modern Greece and include the always popular cannon firings, a Confederate soldiers encampment, artillery and infantry demonstrations, guest speakers and  special guided tours.  (There will be a small charge for some of the tours.)

Re-enactors will also  demonstrate routine activities  like sick call, pay call, rationing and weapons training.

The day's events are scheduled to run from 10 am to 4 pm.

At noon, the Friends of Fort Fisher (to which I belong) will kick off a capital campaign for work to be done to the fort's earthworks.  All of the fort's programming is made possible by the Friends of Fort Fisher, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing this national treasure.

--Old B-Runner

How Fort Fisher Came To Be on Pleasure Island-- Part 3

However, locals hated the name, finding it somewhat sleazy. The residents of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach especially were unwilling to give up their individual community names.

The town of Carolina Beach even went so far as to  put the name of "Pleasure Island" on a ballot and have a vote on it.  Carolina Beach voted overwhelmingly against it.

However, the Chamber and some others continue to use the name Pleasure Island for the area as being convenient to describe the resort area.

Our society, the federal Point Historical Society Association continues to use the historical name  for the area which includes everything north of Snow's Cut to Monkey Junction to Fort Fisher, including Myrtle Grove, Masonboro, The Cape, Seabreeze, Carolina Beach, (Wilmington Beach and Hanby Beach were incorporated into the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach in the 1990s) Kure Beach and Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

How Fort Fisher Came to Be on Pleasure Island-- Part 2

In the late 1800s communities were developed on the lower Federal Point peninsula (between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean).  They were the communities/beach resorts of Carolina Beach, Wilmington Beach, Hanby Beach, Kure Beach (first called Fort Fisher Sea Beach as it was right by Fort Fisher).

In 1930, Snow's cut was made across the Federal Point peninsula which, in effect, turned the peninsula south of the cut (which is by where the bridge is) into an island.  Snow's Cut was a part of the Intercoastal Waterway.  After that, the area began to grow and the communities began tom merge their identities.  

In particular, Wilmington Beach and Hanby Beach began losing their identity.

In the 1970s,  the local Chamber of Commerce, local realtors and some local businessmen decided they needed a single name for all the communities on the new "island" for promotional purposes.  They came up with "Pleasure Island."  The state of North Carolina even adopted it into the official state map for a year or two.

So, It Was a Promotional Thing.  --Old B-Runner

Military Activity at Fort Fisher This Weekend

From the Feb. 26, 2021, News 12 ABC Wilmington, N.C.) "Military training this weekend  in Kure Beach" by Annette Weston.

There will be a lot of  activity at the Fort Fisher National Guard Training Center in Kure Beach this weekend.  The training center is located just north of Fort Fisher in the Fort Fisher U.S. Air Force Recreation Area.

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary  Unit based at Camp Lejeune will be doing  training during the day as part of their regular-scheduled training before  they deploy overseas.

The training will take place  in the grass field south of the RV park.

Officials say people in the area could see military aircraft flying overhead and  around 150 Marine Corps personnel in uniform and 100 Marines role-playing in Middle Eastern attire or civilian clothing.

--Old Jarhead

Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry to Open By Week's End

From WWAY Cape Fear ABC News.

Scheduled to reopen after being shut down for seven months.  It shut down in January so $3 million work could be done on aging boat ramp system.  Work halted in March due to coronavirus.  This long term shutdown hurt Southport business.

Believe me, getting from Pleasure Island, the area that includes Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher to Southport involves a several hour drive up to Wilmington (and all its traffic and photo-enforced cameras) and then back down the west side of the Cape Fear River to get to Southport.  This would be at least two or two-and-a-half hours instead of the 30 minutes to cross on the ferry.

WWAY says they will let the public know just as soon as the opening date is known.

Go, Ferry, Go.  Driving Through Wilmington Is a Nightmare.  --Old B-Runner

World War II at Fort Fisher This Past Weekend

On October 12, Saturday, Fort Fisher hosted  "World War II Experience Fort Fisher" on the grounds of the fort located in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

During World War II, the U.S. Army once again occupied the old fort as a part of Camp Davis, located a little ways to the north of it.  This was the main training base  for anti-aircraft gunners.  Several of the fort's mounds were torn down to construct an airstrip used by planes towing targets for the gunners.

Most of the planes were piloted by members of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).

All sorts of re-enactors were there with exhibits and visitors were able to learn soldier experiences.

--Old B-Runner

What's Going On At the Fort, Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Series: Timothy O'Sullivan's Photographs

In February 1865, photographer Timothy O'Sullivan visited Fort Fisher  to record the massive fortification.  He created a photographic record of the fort and remnants of the two battles that took place there.

Local photographer  Harry Taylor will be discussing Timothy O'Sullivan and the wet plate process of photography.

The presentation is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please call the facility and reserve a seat.  The presentation begins promptly at 2 p.m. in the fort's Spencer Theater.  This programming is made possible by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the nearby towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard South
Kure Beach, North Carolina

--Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort: Fort Fisher's "Beat the Heat" Lecture, Wilmington Hospitals During the Civil War

Today's Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" Lecture will be "Tending to the Soldiers:  Wilmington's Civil War Hospitals."  It will be presented by noted historian and author Wade Sokolowski.

During the war, soldiers on garrison duty around Wilmington and those wounded on far-off battlefields arrived in Wilmington for treatment.  There were many hospitals in Wilmington for that purpose.

The presentation is  free and open to the public. and is presented by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

It takes place at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard South
Kure Beach, N.C.

Starts promptly at 2 p.n. in the Spencer Theater.

Oh Well, Too Far for Me.  --Old B-Runner

Joined Up With the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society Again

This past Tuesday I paid my membership dues for three years ($20 a year)with this outstanding organization in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.  I have belonged to it for six years now and sure wish I lived closer so I could take more advantage of their programs and do some work as well.

They are located on the present-day Carolina Beach Town Hall and offices which used to be the Blockade Runner Museum (which I so enjoyed and actually almost became an assistant curator there back in the 1980s).   The structure the society's museum is in was also part of the Blockade Runner's grounds and was reputed to either be a real slave auction structure or a recreation of one.  It has since been enclosed for the organization.

Federal Point is the original name of the long peninsula formed by the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean.  Fort Fisher was at the southern extremity of it.  During the Civil War, it was renamed Confederate Point.  Now it (between Carolina Beach and Kure Beach) is referred to as Pleasure Island.  When Snow's Cut was constructed to connect the Cape Fear River and Myrtle Sound as part of the Intercoastal Waterway, the peninsula became, in effect, an island.

When the organization was formed , there was thought of calling itself Pleasure Island Historic Preservation Society,  but that was deemed to be not serious enough for a history group, so the origainal name was taken.

Good Move.  --Old B-Runner

This Weekend at the Fort, Fort Fisher July 19-20: Federal Point Lighthouses

JUNIOR RESERVES (CHILDREN)  Friday, July 19  10 am to 2 pm

"Archaeology:  Digging Through the Past"  A kid-friendly family event designed to introduce young participants to basic archaeology techniques.

BEAT THE HEAT LECTURE  Saturday, July 20   2 pm

Fort Fisher interpreter Becky Sawyer will present  "Federal Point Lighthouses."

By the late 1700s, it was important to have the a navigation lighted beacon (lighthouse) at the tip of Federal Point, the peninsula Fort Fisher is located on.  During the Civil War, the lighthouse was destroyed and the lighthouse keeper's house was used as Fort Fisher's headquarters.

These programs ar put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

--Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort: Fort Fisher, July 12-13: Attention Cannoneers and

JUNIOR RESERVES  Friday July 12 10 am to 2 pm.

Kid-friendly family activity using the site's 12-pdr. Napoleon cannon, costumed interpreters will be on hand to explain artillery drill.  Participants will get the chance to fire water balloons at blockading  ships to keep New Inlet open.

BEAT THE HEAT LECTURE   Saturday, July 13   2 pm.

Noted Civil War author Chris Fonvielle will present "Running the Blockade:  The Technology and the Men of the Lifeline of the Confederacy."  Between 1861 and 1965, thousands of tons of  materials were brought into the port of Wilmington, which Fort Fisher guarded.

Ship design and stories of the men will be discussed.

These events are put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Running the Blockade, Hey That's My Blog!!!   --Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort July 5-6: Fort Fisher's Junior Reserves and State Military Memorials

Every weekend during the summer, Fort Fisher has two events, one on Friday for the kids, called Junior Reserves and a lecture on Saturday.

This weekend:

FRIDAY, JULY 5  10 am to 2 pm

"A Soldier's Life"  A  kid-friendly family activity that examines the life of a Civil War soldier.  Participants will learn about garrison life, camp life, military drills and handling a replica musket.

SATURDAY, JULY 6   2 PM

John Winecoff of  the North Carolina Military History Society, has spent years documenting military memorials in all 100 counties of the state.

Both events are free and funded by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure and Carolina Beach.

Check It Out.  --Old B-Runner

History Comes Alive This Weekend at the Fort: Fort Fisher

From WECT, Wilmington, N.C..

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will host "Confederate Navy and Marine Corps" living history program this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16.

Saturday it will be from 10 a.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m..

Uniformed interpreters will be on site and will answer questions, demonstrate small arms and conduct special tours.  Periodically, the site's 12-pdr. Napoleon cannon will be fired.

Saturday there will be a toy soldier workshop for the kids.

The Friends of Fort Fisher, town of Carolina Beach and town of Kure Beach are sponsoring it.

Sure wish I could be there.

--Old B-Runner

Chris Fonvielle's Doing Some Fort Fisher Talking

Now that he is retired from being a history professor at University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Dr. Fonvielle is sure doing a lot of talking.  And, when it comes to the Civil War history of the Wilmington area, I know of no one more knowledgeable or qualified.

Today, May 18, he will be giving a talk on "Fort Fisher 1865:  The Photography of Timothy O'Sullivan" at a Friends of Fort Fisher fundraiser at the fort.  He has written a book on these photographs.  I was impressed when he was with the Blockade Runner Museum back in the early 1980s and he had a complete set of the photographs of O'Sullivan.

Afterwards there will be a walking tour of the remaining sites Mr. O'Sullivan photographed back in 1965.  The talk begins at 10 a.m., EDST at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, N.C..

Then, Monday, May 20, he will make a presentation on the Battle of Sugar Loaf, January 19 and February 11, 1865, at the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society at Carolina Beach, N.C..  Sugar Loaf was a major battle in the attempt of the Union Army to capture Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

Blockade Runners Sunk at Masoboro Inlet and Wreck of USS Columbia

From Wrightsville Beach (NC) Magazine  "Wrightsville Wreck of USS Columbia:  by Chris Fonvielle.

Three other wrecks of blockade runners believed to be the Dee, Fanny and Jenny and  the Emily were discovered between the inlet and Crystal Pier.  A recent dredging project by the U.S. Army Corps of Enhineers disturbed the Columbia shipwreck.

Adding to the evidence that that wreck is that of the Columbia,  three wooden sabots that cushioned 24-pdr. cannonballs washed ashore at Masonboro Island, just south of the inlet in 2010.  They were discovered by a Southport resident who turned them over to  the North Carolina Division of Archives and History Underwater  Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach for conservation.  The Columbia's armament included six 24 pdr. cannons.

--Old B-Runner

Park Day 2019 at Fort Fisher Saturday, April 6

Looking for something to do in southeast North Carolina tomorrow, April 6, and for a good cause?

Head on out to Kure Beach, all the way down to near the end of US Highway 421 on Federal Point, also known as Pleasure Island these days.

And that place you'd be going is Fort Fisher, my number one favorite Civil War place.  I'd sure love to be there, but alas, it is a question of way too many miles between there and here for me in northeastern Illinois.

From 8:30 to noon, they'll put you to work (no pay but you'll feel good to be doing some hood).

Be sure to wear comfortable work clothing and gave a pair of gloves

A luncheon will be provided from Michelangelo's Pizza and participants will get a free Park Day tee-shirt.

For more information, call 910-251-7342.

This is put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher State Historic Site.

Sure'd Like To Be There, But.  --Old Secesh

Beat the Heat at Fort Fisher This Saturday: "Welcoming Sherman"

This Saturday afternoon, the annual Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" lectures will continue at 2 p.m. at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach.  This week's topic is "Welcoming Sherman:  Wilmington and the Cape Fear" and will be given by Wade Sokolosky, a retired career army officer.

With the fall of Wilmington on February 22, 1865, Federal forces were able to use the city and Cape Fear River as a much-needed supply base.  He will discuss the U.S. Navy and Army's use of the river to support Sherman's troops in Fayetteville.

He will have copies of his book on the Battle of Wyse Fork on sale and signed by the author.

Wish It was Closer.  --Old B-R'er

The Connection Between Elmira Prison and Fort Fisher

From the September 17, 2017, Elmira (NY) Star Gazette "Your Opinion:  Connection between Elmira and Kure Beach, N.C." by Tom Fagart.

What do Elmira, N.Y., and Kure Beach, N.C., have in common?  That would be Elmira Prison Camp and Fort Fisher. Plus, the two have two organizations: The Friends of Elmira Civil War Prison Camp and the Friends of Fort Fisher (to which I belong).

After Fort Fisher was captured January 15, 1865, 1,121 Confederate artillerymen were sent to Elmira Prison Camp, arriving January 30 and February 1, 1865.  The prison was knee deep in snow at the time.  The Confederates had neither coats or blankets.

Within five months, 518 of them had died and are buried in C Section of the Woodland National Cemetery.

The Friends of Elmira Civil War Prison are in the process of rebuilding the barracks, improving the grounds and even more importantly, preserving the history of it.

--Old B-Runner

Junior Reserves Rally at Fort Fisher This Weekend

From the July 24, 2017, Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News "'Jr. Reserves' to rally at Fort Fisher."

North Carolina needed more troops in the waning years of the Civil War and raised several companies of young boys, referred to as the Junior Reserves.  They were no more than age 17 and usually assigned to guard key military points.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will hold a Junior Reserves program and encampment this weekend, July 29-30 and will have plenty of family-friendly activities.  Admission is free.

There will be musket demonstrations, artillery firing, a "paint a toy soldier" workshop and a "School of the Soldier" to give young "recruits" a taste of drilling.  re-enactors will be on site dressed in period attire to tell the story of the Junior reserve units, several of which were stationed at Fort Fisher.

The times of this will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m..

This program is made possible through the support of the Friends of Fort Fisher, New Hanover County and the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.

--Old B-Ruunner