Situated at the corner of Fifth and Market streets in historic Wilmington, fabulous Bellamy Mansion Museum has been admired by passersby since its completion in early 1861. Over the years, the house withstood fire, vandalism, neglect and urban renewal only to emerge from the ashes, shake off the dust and assume its place as a true Wilmington symbol.

Noted Wilmington architect James F. Post and planter and physician John D. Bellamy designed the place, but both enslaved and free African-American craftsmen built the dream. A piece of plasterwork which fell during the fire bears the initials WBG, short for William B. Gould, a slave who became an author and Union navy sailor. Ornate carvings throughout the house bear testimony to the skill of artisans who produced them.

The home's size is overwhelming. Four full floors and a tiny fifth floor - the belvedere - enclose almost 10,000 square feet of space. The belvedere is the grand finale of the tour, providing a panoramic view of Wilmington from windows on all four walls.

The urban slave dwelling, under restoration, is a rare building, one of the South's best examples of urban slave quarters. A must-see for historians, the structure's 18-inch-thick, red brick walls contain fireplaces, living quarters and work areas.

Bellamy Mansion Museum is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 to 5 PM. Tours begin at the Carriage House with a brief film on the mansion's history and preservation efforts, and may continue with a docent or an audio headset. The last tour begins at 4 PM. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 5 through 12. Children younger than 5 enter free of charge. Friends of the Bellamy Mansion ($50 per year) and members of Preservation North Carolina get in free. Call ahead for group rate information.

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