WILMINGTON CELEBRATES AMERICA 250

In 2026, the nation will celebrate its semiquincentennial. The city of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and the Southeastern North Carolina region will be participating in the celebration, known as America 250.

As part of the celebration, the World War II Home Front Coalition will promote the 2020 designation of Wilmington as America’s first World War II Heritage City. The Coalition is expanding its activities to include year-long activities throughout the area.

America 250 Activities Planned:
(many others under discussion)

Wilmington Railroad Museum

Exhibits will demonstrate the role of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad in supporting WWII efforts.

WWII Warbirds Fly-In

Static displays and flight demonstrations at Wilmington International Airport by WWII aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force

Military Re-enactments and Shows

WWII Army re-enactors will perform with uniforms, weapons, and equipment at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the HBHUSO/CAC

Educational Initiatives

The HBHUSO/CAC will host lectures, exhibits, USO and Rosie the Riveter shows, and veterans tributes. UNC Wilmington will digitize WWII documents and images.

Military Demonstrations

NC National Guard’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team will showcase military vehicles, weapons, and equipment

America 250 WWII History Activities

Planned or Under Discussion

World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition
Theme: Recognize and Promote Wilmington as America’s First WWII Heritage City
Updated: February 16, 2026

Key:
📅 = Firm or TBD date activity
🔁 = Ongoing activity

📅 Scheduled or Firm-Date Activities 2026

February 11 – Program on Wilmington’s 2 Medal of Honor recipients and other WWII decorated heroes of New Hanover High School. Cape Fear Club.

March 12, 5:00 pm – Dedicate historical marker at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park noting July 1943 German U-boat attack on Ethyl-Dow chemical plant.

April 10-12 during North Carolina Azalea Festival – Commemorative Air Force WWII warbirds fly in to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) south ramp. Static displays, public rides. Also, the NCAF will fly in active duty military aircraft for static displays. 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Further details TBA.

April 10-12 during Azalea Festival  – N.C. National Guard 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, staging of troops, vehicles, equipment. Site: 120th Infantry HQ, adjacent to the south ramp. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Details TBA.

April 6-8 – Veterans Forum: student veteran speakers, programs. Cape Fear Community College, Union Station Auditorium. Details TBA.

April 7-8 – Visit by U.S. Coast Guard cutter VIGOROUS (WMEC 267) to Wilmington. Berthing at Port City Marina. Open to public TBA. 

April 25 – All hands area veterans jamboree: all day, services, all periods served. Veterans Hall quad, UNC Wilmington, open to public. Food and beverages, music, entertainment, organization booths, camaraderie, family environment. Free. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Date TBA – Wilmington Railroad Museum (Atlantic Coast Line RR headquarters) – Exhibits  on wartime Atlantic Coast Line and the railroads

May 11 and 18 – Doubleheader Educational Forum: WWII Wilmington history PowerPoint presentations, HBHUSO/CAC, noon to 1:15 pm, free.

            11 – The Wilmington Shipyard; German Afrika Korps POWs in Wilmington

            18 – Growing Up on the Wilmington Home Front; The Nisei Japanese American Heroes

May 17 – “Rosie the Riveter: American Women in WWII” PowerPoint presentation; Rosie the Riveter solo actor performance; Rosie/women memorabilia exhibit, HBHUSO/CAC, 2:00 pm. Ticket availability TBA.        

May 31, November 9 – Wilmington port visits by American Cruise Lines – WWII programs in HBHUSO/CAC. Details TBA.

June 28 – WWII-era jazz music program with Benny Hill Jazz combo, HBHUSO/CAC, 5:00 p.m. Ticket availability TBA.

Dates and details TBA – Wilmington Waters Tours excursions, Cape Fear River – WWII history presentations on board.

July 4 – Open house, HBHUSO/CAC, 12-4:00 pm, free.

September/October TBD – WWII Weekend, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, re-enactors, uniforms, weapons, equipment, date/time TBA.

November 6 – USO Show & Dance for Veterans Day weekend, HBHUSO/CAC, 7-10 pm.

December 5 – HBHUSO/CAC 85th anniversary, Wilmington Big Band free concert, 7:30-9:30 pm.

December 7 – Annual commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor (the 84th anniversary), HBHUSO/CAC, 1:25 pm.

Ongoing & Community Partner Activities

🔁 New Hanover County Schools & Cape Fear Academy – Participating in events and educational programs.

  • 🔁 Fort Fisher State Historic Site – WWII re-enactors, equipment, vehicles, and weapons.
  • 🔁 Hannah Block Historic USO / Community Arts Center
    • Lectures, commemorations, music, theater, and exhibits (e.g., Rosie the Riveter).
  • 🔁 Battleship North Carolina
    • Memorial Day ceremony.
    • Living History programming, ship tours, and special events.
    • Collaboration with the Coalition.
  • 🔁 Wilmington Railroad Museum
    • WWII exhibits focusing on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad history.
  • 🔁 NC Maritime Museum at Southport
    • Programs on the Wilmington shipyard and American women in WWII.
  • 🔁 UNCW and CFCC Veteran Students
    • Events in coordination with Veterans Councils of New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.
    • Music department concerts.
    • Film studies video project.
  • 🔁 New Hanover High School Alumni Association
    • Honoring WWII Medal of Honor graduates Charles Murray and Billy Halyburton.
    • Memorial to NHHS students who served and died.
  • 🔁 WWII Authors, Historians, and Speakers
    • Compiled list of local experts.
    • Book signings and presentations.
  • 🔁 Reprint and Distribute – Wilmington World War II Heritage Guide.
  • 🔁 Lectures and PowerPoint Presentations – On Wilmington’s WWII history

Additional 2026 Possible Activities

  • Cape Fear Jazz Society program on wartime-era jazz music
  • N. C. Maritime Museum at Southport – Exhibits, programs on WWII Wilmington shipyard and American women
  • Wilmington Film industry and “Hollywood” WWII exhibits
  • New Hanover High School Alumni Organization and NHHS students honoring those who served and Medal of Honor recipients Charles Murray and Billy Halyburton

.

Please check back often.

Additional activities and details will be posted here as they become available.

Would you like to volunteer to work with us on any of these activities, please contact us.

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