WILMINGTON — With the library now up and running on Grace Street, the other half of the county’s newly constructed cultural hub is on the way to the area as well. The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science will shutter its Market Street location on Dec. 31 to prepare moving into its new home.
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Its new location will be 230 Grace St. and officials anticipate it will take seven months for staff to move more than 400 artifacts into the new facility.
“The museum team has spent years developing exhibition content to bring a modern, state-of-the-art cultural amenity to New Hanover County,” Museum Director Kate Baillon said in a county press release. “Cape Fear Museum’s facility in the Grace District will offer a dynamic and immersive educational experience that celebrates our region’s history, science, and cultures.”
Dubbed “Project Grace,” Cape Fear Development is behind the construction of the downtown block cornering N. Second, Chestnut, N. Third and Grace streets; when complete, it will include the main branch of the New Hanover County Library, now open, the museum, and a residential and retail component. The county has put $77 million into the public-private partnership.
The new museum space will consist of three stories, comprising more than 40,000 square feet, and also will include a 60-seat planetarium. The goal is to open by July 2026, debuting permanent exhibitions, museum classrooms, an outdoor terrace, and more.
Some highlights to expect include:
- Cape Fear Stories: An interactive exhibit spanning two floors, this gallery delves into the rich history of the Lower Cape Fear.
- Planetarium: A 60-seat, immersive theater with programming catered to school groups, families, and young adults.
- Port City Play: Imaginative play spaces, storytelling, and hands-on interactive displays tailored to young children and their caregivers.
- Science Matters: Hands-on exhibits and gallery that emphasizes the importance of science in understanding and changing the world.
- Curious Nature: An outdoor learning gallery that highlights the beauty of nature and encourages environmental stewardship.
- Traveling Exhibition Gallery: A 5,000-square foot space dedicated to hosting a variety of engaging exhibits that rotate regularly. Amazing Pollinators will open in August 2026 and is a game-based survival adventure that weaves fascinating stories with urgent messages about pollinators, the critical work they do, and their importance to people and planet. It will be on view through January 2027.
The existing museum structure at 814 Market Street will continue to operate with staff using it for research, exhibition design, fabrication and development, collections management and educational initiatives.
Regular museum business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of the year; however, the museum is closed Dec. 24 through 26 for the Christmas holiday.
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