Thalian Hall is one of the oldest and most beautiful theaters in America. Forming the east wing of Wilmingtons iconic city hall, this dual-purpose building has been at the center of the communitys cultural and political life since it first opened in 1858. Thalian Hall is the only surviving theater designed by John Montague Trimble, one of Americas foremost 19th-century theater architects. It was built at a time when Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina. Thalian Hall is the embodiment of a tradition of performance that stretches back for over two centuries. It has hosted Shakespearean tragedies, musical concerts, and even boxing and wrestling events. For generations, Wilmington audiences have witnessed touring stars, local actors, musicians, dancers, and movies in a parade of performances and celebratory events. The story of Thalian Hall is an embroidered tapestry reflecting the history of the American theater and the community that built it.
Of America's thirteen original colonies, North Carolina was one of the most rural, its urban population miniscule and its maritime commerce severely limited--except in the town of Wilmington. Prior to the Civil War, the coastal town was North Carolina's largest urban area and principal seaport, with shipping as the mainstay of the local economy. Wilmington indeed was a singular place in colonial and antebellum North Carolina. This book presents the history of Wilmington from its founding and development to the eve of the Civil War. Part I traces Wilmington's history from the incorporation of the town in 1739-40 to 1789, when North Carolina joined the newly formed United States of America. This section focuses on the confused and disputed origins of Wilmington, life in a colonial urban setting, the growing importance of the port, and town governance. Part II expands upon the preceding topics for the years 1789 to 1861. It also examines the economic development of the port, the wide variety of social activities, the growth of the African American population, and Wilmington's role in state and national politics.
From the Outer Banks to Asheville, discover the best of the Tar Heel State with Moon North Carolina. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries, including scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, four days in the Great Smoky Mountains, and a five-day coastal getaway Strategic advice designed for hikers, beach-goers, foodies, wildlife-watchers, and more The top local experiences: Explore the gardens of the Biltmore Estate, check out the art museum in Raleigh, or kick back with a craft beer at an outdoor concert in Wilmington. Escape to the Outer Banks for a glimpse of wild horses, historic lighthouses, and remote islands. Tap your foot to live bluegrass and dig into famous North Carolina barbecue Outdoor activities: Hike to waterfalls or challenge yourself to climb the highest peaks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kayak around Kitty Hawk, whitewater raft in the wild Nantahala River Gorge, go hang gliding, or spend a day fly-fishing Expert tips from North Carolina local Jason Frye on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from rugged campgrounds to historic inns and beachside B&Bs Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough background on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and local culture With Moon North Carolina's expert advice and local insight, you can find your adventure. Focusing on the mountains? Check out Moon Asheville & the Great Smoky Mountains. Can't get enough of the beach? Try Moon North Carolina Coast. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Best Ghost Tales of North Carolina offers twenty-five tales about strange happenings, creepy places, and engaging specters across the Old North State. Six are new for this edition. The ghosts of North Carolina's past linger among the living in this thrilling collection of ghost tales. Pink Lady at Grove Park Inn The legend starts in the 1920s when a pretty young girl in a pink ball gown plummeted to her death from Room 545. The Unknown Soldier and the Confederate Spy On certain nights when the fog rolls in and the moonlight is faint, two spirits have been seen walking down by the river. Ghost Ship of Diamond Shoals What happened to the Carroll A. Deering is considered by many to be the greatest mystery of the seas during the first half of the 20th century.
A city of rare beauty and fascinating history, Wilmington attracts armies of tourists and visitors year-round eager to view its picturesque waterfront, to learn of the old port cityÃ's remarkable heritage and traditions, and to enjoy its grand beaches and landscapes. This visual history explores the cityÃ's and the vicinityÃ's unique story from the late 1890s to the 1960s through the medium of postcards, a popular way of documenting a townÃ's famous buildings, dwellings, personalities, and scenery.
From the Outer Banks to Asheville, discover the cities, waves, woods, and mountains of the Tar Heel State with Moon North Carolina. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries, including scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a weekend in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and getaways to Asheville, Raleigh-Durham, or Charlotte Strategic advice designed for hikers, beach-goers, foodies, and more Unique experiences and can't-miss highlights: Discover the top beaches in the Outer Banks for family fun, water sports, or quiet rest and relaxation. Hike through the tall pines of Appalachia past rushing streams and cascading waterfalls, or admire the antebellum architecture and lush gardens in Wilmington. Explore Asheville's top-notch breweries, world-class restaurants, and vibrant art scene, and sample North Carolina's tastiest, most authentic barbecue The best spots for outdoor sports and recreation, including hiking, rafting, golfing, and watching NASCAR races Expert tips from North Carolina local Jason Frye Honest advice on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from historic inns and beachside B&Bs to budget motels and campgrounds Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough information including background on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and local culture With Moon North Carolina's expert advice, myriad activities, and local insight on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way. Focusing on the mountains? Check out Moon Asheville & the Great Smoky Mountains. Can't get enough of the beach? Try Moon Coastal Carolinas.
Salty air and the promise of adventure: answer the call of the ocean with Moon North Carolina Coast. Inside you'll find: Strategic itineraries, from a weekend getaway to the Outer Banks to a week covering the whole coast, designed for beach bums, outdoor adventurers, history buffs, families, and more The top sights and unique experiences: Visit the North Carolina Aquarium, explore a Civil War fort, discover the remains of sunken pirate ships, or climb to the top of a historic lighthouse. Order the catch of the day at a local fish shack, sample fresh oysters, or indulge in some authentic North Carolina barbecue. Relax on a sandy beach, spot wild horses on the shore, and watch the sun set over the glittering Atlantic Outdoor adventures: Kayak through misty marshes, take a moonlight paddling tour of a wildlife refuge, surf the powerful swells, or hike the largest sand dune on the East Coast The best beaches for your trip, with lists of the top spots for sunbathing, water sports, wildlife viewing, solitude, and more Honest insight from North Carolina local Jason Frye on when to go, where to eat, and where to stay, from rugged campgrounds to historic inns Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Thorough background on North Carolina's culture, environment, wildlife, and history With Moon North Carolina Coast's diverse activities and local perspective, you can plan your trip your way. Exploring inland? Check out Moon North Carolina. Hitting the road? Try Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip.
A Pulitzer Prize–winning, searing account of the 1898 white supremacist riot and coup in Wilmington, North Carolina. By the 1890s, Wilmington was North Carolina’s largest city and a shining example of a mixed-race community. It was a bustling port city with a burgeoning African American middle class and a Fusionist government of Republicans and Populists that included black aldermen, police officers and magistrates. There were successful black-owned businesses and an African American newspaper, The Record. But across the state—and the South—white supremacist Democrats were working to reverse the advances made by former slaves and their progeny. In 1898, in response to a speech calling for white men to rise to the defense of Southern womanhood against the supposed threat of black predators, Alexander Manly, the outspoken young Record editor, wrote that some relationships between black men and white women were consensual. His editorial ignited outrage across the South, with calls to lynch Manly. But North Carolina’s white supremacist Democrats had a different strategy. They were plotting to take back the state legislature in November “by the ballot or bullet or both,” and then use the Manly editorial to trigger a “race riot” to overthrow Wilmington’s multi-racial government. Led by prominent citizens including Josephus Daniels, publisher of the state’s largest newspaper, and former Confederate Colonel Alfred Moore Waddell, white supremacists rolled out a carefully orchestrated campaign that included raucous rallies, race-baiting editorials and newspaper cartoons, and sensational, fabricated news stories. With intimidation and violence, the Democrats suppressed the black vote and stuffed ballot boxes (or threw them out), to win control of the state legislature on November 8th. Two days later, more than 2,000 heavily armed Red Shirts swarmed through Wilmington, torching the Record office, terrorizing women and children, and shooting at least sixty black men dead in the streets. The rioters forced city officials to resign at gunpoint and replaced them with mob leaders. Prominent blacks—and sympathetic whites—were banished. Hundreds of terrified black families took refuge in surrounding swamps and forests. This brutal insurrection is a rare instance of a violent overthrow of an elected government in the United States. It halted gains made by blacks and restored racism as official government policy, cementing white rule for another half century. It was not a “race riot,” as the events of November 1898 came to be known, but rather a racially motivated rebellion launched by white supremacists. In Wilmington’s Lie, Pulitzer Prize–winner David Zucchino uses contemporary newspaper accounts, diaries, letters and official communications to create a gripping and compelling narrative that weaves together individual stories of hate and fear and brutality. This is a dramatic and definitive account of a remarkable but forgotten chapter of American history.
