Wilmington True History Tours

03/01/2026

Perfect weather for our first Revolutionary Wilmington Tour. Looking forward to tomorrow’s sold out tour!

02/27/2026

Today is a huge day in Cape Fear history. 250 years ago, the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge was fought.

Royal Governor Josiah Martin sought to raise 10,000 Loyalists in the interior of NC to march to Wilmington to link up with British troops. He was only able to raise about 1,600. Those Loyalists left today’s Fayetteville on February 20, 1776. Patriots blocked their route at every turn.

On the evening of February 26, a Loyalist courier entered the patriot camp and demanded surrender. He also got a good look at the camp, noting that the patriots’ backs were to Moores Creek. The patriots refused surrender, and the British began moving toward the patriots around 1 AM on February 27. In the meantime, the roughly 1,000 patriots moved to the opposite bank of Moores Creek and took position behind carefully prepared earthworks. They also dismantled the bridge over the creek.

By the morning of battle, Loyalist troops numbered less than 800. They stormed across the bridge girders and got within 30 yards before the patriots opened fire. It was all over in less than five minutes. At least 30 Loyalists were killed or wounded with more likely having fallen into the creek. The patriots lost just one man killed and one wounded.

The ramifications were huge. Patriots would capture nearly the entire Loyalist force over the coming days. More importantly, it was the first major patriot victory of the Revolution and encouraged NC to allow her delegates to vote for Independence in the coming months.

We highly recommend a visit to Moores Creek National Battlefield this weekend! Fun fact: This is the shortest battle commemorated within a National Park!

02/19/2026

Our sister company, Savannah True History Tours, was featured in today’s New York Times. The Savannah Dark History Tour is spotlighted as a fact-based alternative to the city’s numerous ghost tours.

Fun fact: We also offer a Wilmington Dark History Tour! We even have a few coming up every week throughout February!

The present and past coexist in a Southern city unlike any other.

02/14/2026

Ticket update! Sunday's Revolutionary Tour is sold out, but we do have SEVEN tickets available for Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.'s Saturday (2/28) tour.

We also have good availability for both Dark History Tours with NPS alum Brandon

Send a message to learn more

02/04/2026

New tour announcement! To coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. will lead a Revolutionary War Walking Tour of Downtown Wilmington. These tours will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1.

Wilmington plays a massive role in the Revolution. The area sees one of the first Patriot victories of the war, and Cornwallis will make the fateful decision to head to Virginia while here. Chris will also introduce you to men and women like Cornelius Harnett and Polly Slocumb. We’ll also view a number of existing buildings that witnessed those trying events. Only 15 tickets will be made available for each tour!

Tickets are listed on our website. We’ll also be offering our popular Dark History Tour those evenings as well. Former National Park Service Ranger Brandon will lead those. They’re the perfect fact-based alternative to ghost tours.

See y’all soon!

10/09/2025

We tell this story on our History Walk!

🐘 Does anyone remember Topsy the elephant? It may sound like a tall tale, but it's very real!

On this day in 1922, Topsy managed to escape from the visiting Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. The four-ton pachyderm somehow got loose from her handlers and took an 18-hour stroll through the heart of downtown Wilmington, causing thousands of dollars in damage. She was eventually wrangled up after getting stuck in Greenfield Lake; however, she managed to escape again the next day by diving off a dock and swimming across the Cape Fear River.

Follow the link in the comments to read more of Topsy's incredible story!

10/07/2025

Spooky Season tours are back! Our popular Dark History Tours are back in action starting Friday, October 17 at 6:00. We’ll offer the same October 24. Beginning October 27, Chris Fonvielle will give his Dark History and Curious Tales Tour each night through Halloween. Those tours will begin at 7:00 (Halloween’s Tour will be at 6:30).

Can’t wait to see you then!

08/29/2025

As an NPS alum, this is an AWESOME opportunity. The eyes of every American history nerd will be on Moores Creek National Battlefield next February. Apply for this!

Exciting Internship Opportunity at Moores Creek National Battlefield!

Moores Creek National Battlefield is actively recruiting for a 20-week internship with the park's interpretation division. This position will be our America250 Intern. In addition to providing visitor services at the site, the intern will also play a key role in finalizing planning for the park's 250th anniversary event in February 2026. The internship is expected to start in mid-October and last until about mid-March. For more information about the position, please visit:

https://secure8.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=688419142

Applicants must between the ages of 18-30 and have a high school diploma or equivalent degree. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) Tuesday through Saturday from 8:45 am - 5:15 pm each day.

This position will be open now through COB Monday September 15. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Chief Ranger Jason Collins at [email protected].

06/25/2025

Some great history that occurred on this day in 1775!

On this day, June 25, 1775, the North Carolina Governor's Council met at Fort Johnston, located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. This meeting described how many “people” of the colony engaged in “seditious” acts against the crown. " Among the many actions deemed “treasonable” was the Mecklenburg Resolves, which were signed on May 20, 1775. While there is some debate over the specific wording of the document, its existence is indisputable. The Royal Governor of North Carolina, Josiah Martin, stated:
“...the most treasonable publication of a committee in the County of Mecklenburg, explicitly renouncing obedience to His Majesty's Government and all lawful authority whatsoever, is such an audacious and dangerous proceeding, directly tending to the dissolution of the Constitution of this Province.”
North Carolina is known as “First in Freedom” in part because the people of Mecklenburg had had enough!

05/01/2025

This Saturday - Dark History Tour at 5:00! Come learn to truth behind Wilmington’s darker side!

04/10/2025

New guide (and tour) announcement! Please welcome Doug Dodson to the True History Tours family. Doug is a retired theater professional and teacher with a life-long love of history. He has lived in historic downtown Wilmington for over 25 years, and is the lead docent for The Latimer House historic site.

With Doug’s addition, we’re now able to offer tours nearly every day of the week! All upcoming tours are viewable on our website. We hope to see you soon!