Burgwin-Wright House
A colonial-era residence built in 1770 on the stone foundations of the old town jail. Lord Cornwallis stayed here on his way south in 1781.
The Burgwin-Wright House is one of the best-preserved colonial homes in Wilmington. Its wooden upper storey sits on the stone foundations of the old town jail, and its two-storey front porch has a distinctly Southern character. In 1781, Cornwallis set up his headquarters here before marching north to Yorktown. The interior is furnished with 18th-century furniture, and the backyard has a separate kitchen and a restored colonial-style garden. The house is run by the North Carolina Colonial Dames of America, and guided tours cost about US$15. It is in the city centre, two blocks from the riverfront.
Opening hours
Tue–Sat 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Thalian Hall
- Bellamy Mansion Museum
- Wilmington Riverwalk & Historic Downtown
- Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
- Battleship North Carolina
- Oakdale Cemetery
- Greenfield Lake Park
- Cameron Art Museum