The Fort Fisher Visitors Center and Me

I even remember the very first Fort Fisher Visitors Center and Museum which was a maybe 60 by 60 foot metal shed located at Battle Acre by the Confederate monument.  I'm not sure when it was built.  As a matter of fact when I was really young, I liked going to Fort Fisher but not to see the history or museum of it.  There was this really strange man with a long beard and usually shirtless who held court there.  He was known as the Fort Fisher Hermit.

Then came the Civil War Centennial (1961-1965).  This happened right when I was the most interested in the Civil War in my young life (I was 10 to 15 during the centennial.)  Around 1963, they built the structure that served as the museum until earlier this year.

I spent a lot of time in there whenever I was in North Carolina visiting family.  

When I first heard about the new center, I was told that the plan was to immediately tear down the old one and put up a temporary structure to house the museum and center because of parking.  I thought that was not a good move.  Leave the old one up until right before the new one is complete and then move stuff over directly.

Part of the problem was parking, but I figured why not just have people park in the part of Fort Fisher that was torn down for an airstrip during WW II.  This is what they did.

I sure am going to miss the old one, but really look forward to seeing the new one.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Hosts World War II Program-- Part 2: Wilmington, America's World War II City

During World War II, Wilmington, N.C. was the scene of much activity for the war effort.  Not only was Camp Davis a huge training base a short distance north of the city, but also the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company built several hundred vessels for the war, most of them the famous Liberty Ships.

Fort Fisher served as a training area for anti-aircraft gunners.  Unfortunately, several of the forts's traverses were leveled to maker the airstrip for the planes pulling the targets.  The targets were often pulled by women serving in the WASPs unit.

Wilbur Jones has done much to make Wilmington America's World War II city.

--Old B-Runner

World War II at Fort Fisher This Weekend-- Part 1: A Two-War Fort

From the October 9, 2016, Port City Daily (Wilmington, N.C.) "Fort Fisher highlights its World War II role in upcoming program."

I've written a whole lot about Fort Fisher's role in the Civil War in this blog, but it also was involved with World War II.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will host the program "Fort Fisher's World War II Experience from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, October 15, 2016.  During World War II it served as an anti-aircraft training base.

Many service men and women trained there.

On Saturday, military and civilian re-enactors will set up displays on the old Fort Fisher airstrip and will portray what life was like on the U.S. home front.

Featured speakers during the day will be Wilbur Jones (Mr. Wilmington World War II), Cliff Tyndall and Krystal Lee who will talk about North Carolina's role in the war, including Fort Fisher, Wilmington and Camp Davis.

Should Be Interesting.  Wish I Could Be There.  --Old B-R'er