Situated at the corner of Fifth and Market streets, in historic Wilmington, the antebellum Bellamy Mansion has been admired by passersby since its completion in early 1861. Over the years, the house withstood fire, vandalism, neglect, and urban renewal to emerge from the ashes as an iconic symbol of Wilmington.
Noted Wilmington architect James F. Post along with planter and physician John D. Bellamy designed the mansion. Both enslaved and free African-American craftsmen built the home. A fallen piece of plasterwork bears the initials WBG, short for William B. Gould, a slave who escaped and became a Union Navy sailor and diarist. 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 - encloses 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 fully restored urban slave dwelling, from 1859, is a unique educational site. It is one of the South's only examples of urban slave quarters and is fully interpreted on tours. 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 $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $6 for students. 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. Group tours are $9 per person, but you must call at least three days in advance to schedule a tour.
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