Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens

Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens The Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens is a place 'where now meets then.'
A place where you can connect For more information, visit www.burgwinwrighthouse.org

The Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is the oldest and largest historic site open to the public in downtown Wilmington. Of eight colonial structures remaining in the city, four are located on this property; three stone buildings, circa 1744, that served as the city jail, and John Burgwin’s 1770 town house. Operated as a museum, the property offers visitors a unique opportunity to view one of the f

inest examples of Georgian architecture in the state and to experience what life was like during pre-revolutionary Wilmington. All rooms have been restored to their original 1770 colors, and furnished with 18th century antiques, and showcase hundreds of remarkable objects.

• The visitor center, on the ground floor, houses a gift shop, art gallery and exhibit hall.

• The acre of Colonial style gardens consists of seven distinct areas, including an orchard with fig and pomegranate trees.

• A map of the gardens and its history facilitates complimentary self-guided tours of the beautiful property.

• The free-standing kitchen house, originally the jailor’s quarters, has a massive hearth and period cooking utensils.

• Last but not least, guided tours include the stories of the people who lived and worked here, and the NSCDA-NC, the women’s organization that saved this landmark from the wrecking ball.

The Burgwin-Wright House will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. We will reopen for regular business hours on T...
09/06/2026

The Burgwin-Wright House will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. We will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Have a safe holiday!

It’s river cruise time! Next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, we are back on the Cape Fear with Wilmington Water ...
09/03/2026

It’s river cruise time! Next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, we are back on the Cape Fear with Wilmington Water Tours for our sold-out river cruises, telling the Scottish and colonial history of this region through Jamie and Claire Fraser’s story in Outlander! Call 910-338-3134 or visit WilmingtonWaterTours.net to join us. Don’t miss out on the Outlander history, the Wilmington history and the onboard bar!

Please welcome Matthew Stasio to our team of interpreters at the Burgwin-Wright House. Originally from Massachusetts, Ma...
09/01/2026

Please welcome Matthew Stasio to our team of interpreters at the Burgwin-Wright House. Originally from Massachusetts, Matthew moved to North Carolina in 2025. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in public history at Southern New Hampshire University. His favorite part of giving tours is helping visitors connect with the everyday experiences of people from the past, and their surprise in how much they have learned. You can also find him working hard at the Wilmington Railroad Museum. Please help us welcome him to the team by coming and taking his tour!

09/01/2026

An archivist’s work is never done. Especially in a 256-year-old home!

08/27/2026

Check out a few of the entries in this year’s Images of Distinction showcase by the Cape Fear Camera Club. Their annual exhibit is always a highlight of our year, and it opens this Friday from 6-9pm during Fourth Friday Gallery Nights. Get a sneak peek at this stunning photography and then come meet some of the eyes behind the lens tomorrow night!

We are thrilled to announce Casandra Murray, who previously worked with us as an interpreter, is now our archivist! She ...
08/26/2026

We are thrilled to announce Casandra Murray, who previously worked with us as an interpreter, is now our archivist! She is working in our archives to ensure our collection records are as up-to-date and accessible as possible, while also continuing to help us with tours. She has always been and remains such a valuable part of the Burgwin-Wright team, and we are thrilled to have her here more. Say hello when you are at the house next!

Help us welcome one of our new part-time interpreters, Mitchel! Originally from Utah, Mitchel moved to Winston-Salem, No...
08/25/2026

Help us welcome one of our new part-time interpreters, Mitchel!

Originally from Utah, Mitchel moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2018. He is currently studying History and Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law and hopes to attend law school. His historical interests include the Soviet Union, World War I, and the global impact of slavery.

You never know what furry friends you’ll see hopping around in the gardens! Sights like these make Monday mornings a lit...
08/24/2026

You never know what furry friends you’ll see hopping around in the gardens! Sights like these make Monday mornings a little nicer.

“I love a rebellious woman.” That’s how artist Lauren Pallotta Stumberg dedicated she and metal artist Dumay Gorham’s ne...
08/19/2026

“I love a rebellious woman.” That’s how artist Lauren Pallotta Stumberg dedicated she and metal artist Dumay Gorham’s new art installation, “Canceled Cups,” this morning in downtown Wilmington.

We were honored to be part of the selection committee to determine how best to acknowledge the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution here in town, and we are thrilled to see Lauren and Dumay’s sculpture honor the Wilmington Ladies Tea Walk in 1775. The defiant act of burning tea was a risky move for the women of Wilmington, but it didn’t stop them from showing their own support for the revolutionary cause.

It is always good to see Wilmington’s colonial history get its due, so be sure to check out this incredible new art on display in Celebration Pop-Up Park across the street from Thalian Hall.

Now on display in our visitors center is a new exhibit designed and researched by the UNCWilmington History Department G...
08/12/2026

Now on display in our visitors center is a new exhibit designed and researched by the UNCWilmington History Department Graduate Students looking at the intricacies of crime and punishment in the Port City. It’s meaningful to have this important history here because it is now available in the same space that served as the city’s first jail. Stop by and read it for yourself Monday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

Address

224 Market Street
Wilmington, NC
28401

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19107620570

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category