Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

For more than 10 years, HWF has partnered with New Hanover County Public Schools for Tar Heels Go Walking, an educational walking tour for third graders. Each year, Historic Wilmington Foundation volunteers lead thousands of students through a tour of our city’s most renowned sites, instilling a love of history and a deep curiosity to explore the world around them. The children learn about the history of downtown Wilmington as they are guided past significant structures such as Thalian Hall, City Hall and the New Hanover County Public Library, concluding their tour at the Wilmington 1898 Monument.

Tar Heels Go Walking introduces the next generation to the concept of historic spaces and engages them in the mission of preserving our built environment—everything that connects us to the past and paves the way to our collective future.

For more information, visit historicwilmington.org/tar-heels-go-walking.

Legacy Architectural Salvage (LAS) is HWF's salvage operation, the only of its kind within 150 miles. Homeowners and contractors donate architectural salvage (wood, flooring, doors, windows, etc.), as well as furniture and home décor, all pre-1960s. These items are then sold to customers, who use these pieces in their homes and businesses, in restoration and upcycling projects. LAS also regularly hosts free workshops where window repair, lead paint basics and other issues are covered by experts in exclusive, hands-on classes. For old homes that are set for demolition, our crew of volunteers goes in to preserve as much as possible, hauling it all back to our warehouse to be shared with the community, instead of lost forever. LAS also partners with local teachers to create hands-on learning opportunities for students within the warehouse. In doing our part to put discarded, pre-1960s pieces back into area homes, we’re helping to preserve and protect the irreplaceable!

Legacy Architectural Salvage is located behind Stevens Ace Hardware at 1831-B Dawson Street. Hours are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00am-2:00pm, and on Thursdays from 9:00am-5:00pm. Visit historicwilmington.org/legacy or call 910.338.6443 for more information.

HWF partnered with Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) to preserve built history, developing the only historic preservation construction curriculum of its kind within 150 miles. Offered through the Workforce Training program at CFCC, Intro to Historic Preservation is the first of three 96-hour courses that will allow students to earn a certificate in Historic Preservation Construction. The hands-on program is geared toward contractors and those with a background in construction. Topics covered include wooden window repair, masonry, roofing and sustainability, just to name a few! Guest speakers will include experts on historic districts and Wilmington's architecture.

Given Wilmington’s abundance of old buildings and a shortage of contractors to help repair and maintain them, Historic Preservation Construction is a win-win for the community.