Wilmington True History Tours

06/13/2024

Just FOUR tickets remain for this weekend's tour with Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.!

06/06/2024

It’s almost Friday! Just a friendly reminder that we will be leading a Dark History Tour this Saturday at 6:00. Hope to see you there!

05/31/2024

Tomorrow’s Civil War Tour is sold out. Thank you for your support!

05/31/2024

Tickets are still available for both upcoming tours, but Saturday’s tour only has TWO tickets remaining!

05/30/2024

Tomorrow's tour temperature: 67! Enjoy the cool weather while you can!

05/02/2024

We're thrilled to be part of American Cruise Lines' inaugural Civil War Battlefields Cruise! Brandon, Chris, and Wade will all be participating. Feel free to follow along on Brandon's portions at our sister company's page: Savannah True History Tours

Some time ago, our friends at American Cruise lines contacted us about assisting them in the planning of their inaugural, 35-day Civil War Battlefields Cruise. This once-in-a-lifetime experience begins tomorrow in New Orleans. From there, the first cruise ship heads up the Mississippi to Memphis. They’ll experience famous battlefields such as Vicksburg and Port Hudson. From Memphis, guests are shuttled over to Nashville where they’ll hop on another vessel for a trip up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, ending in Chattanooga. Think Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Lookout Mountain for that leg. Brandon will rejoin the group in Chattanooga and proceed overland to Fernandina Beach. We’ll see Chickamauga, Andersonville, and Olustee on this portion. From Fernandina, the final vessel will head up the East Coast to Baltimore. We’ll disembark there, then head west to Antietam and Gettysburg.

We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this! We’ve enlisted three other historians, all experts in their respective areas, to join. We’ll be posting regular updates during the portions where Brandon is with the cruise. We hope you’ll follow along and maybe even consider booking for next year’s cruise!

03/08/2024

The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad was completed on March 7, 1840. At that time, its 161.5 miles made for the longest railroad line in the world. It connected Wilmington with the small town of Weldon in NE North Carolina. Due to two other lines that departed Weldon, one of which ran to Petersburg, VA, the Wilmington & Weldon was arguably the Confederacy’s most important during the last couple years of the Civil War. Wilmington remained the last Confederate port open to blockade runners, and all those European goods made their way to Lee’s army via that rail line.

We return to tours in just a couple weeks! On Saturday, March 23, Alex will give a Dark History Tour and set straight a number of Wilmington’s ghost myths. The next day, Chris Fonvielle will lead a Civil War Tour where you’ll learn even more about Wilmington’s massive role in that conflict! Tickets available at www.wilmingtontruehistory.com

02/27/2024

Today is huge day in Cape Fear history. 248 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! Fun fact: This is the shortest battle commemorated within a National Park!

02/23/2024

Market Street. You’re all familiar with this stretch, but did you know these first few blocks of Market have witnessed multiple gruesome murders? Join Alex on tomorrow’s Dark History Tour to learn all about Wilmington’s dark side. Best part: Everything this tour covers is TRUE! No ghosts, just well-researched history.

We’re glad to be back in the saddle and can’t wait to see y’all at 5:30 tomorrow!

Tickets available here: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wilmingtontruehistorytours/items/453907/availability/1174235006/book/?full-items=yes

01/20/2024

We lost our biggest fan today. Brandon’s father, Thomas, entered the gates of Heaven after valiantly battling cancer for over two years. We’ll be temporarily on hiatus, but we’ll be back to giving tours very soon because that’s what dad would want. We’ll also be giving a tour in the coming months with proceeds going toward one of his favorite causes: Supporting children battling cancer.

Please keep Brandon’s family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Thank you,
The True History Tours Family

01/15/2024

in 1865, Fort Fisher fell to Union forces. By the time of the battles, Confederate commander William Lamb had turned the fort into one of the world’s largest earthen fortifications. Unlike the first failed assault on the fort a month earlier, this amphibious assault was well-coordinated between Navy and Army. Confederate Maj. Gen. William Whiting was mortally wounded in the battle. He now rests in Oakdale.

Union casualties totaled over 1,000. All Confederates were either killed, wounded, or captured. Fifty-one men earned the Medal of Honor.

To add insult to injury, the fort’s powder magazine exploded the next day, killing and wounding over 200 more Union soldiers.

01/08/2024

We’ve made a number of trips to be with family in East Tennessee recently. It was just Max and I today, and us history nerds decided we needed to make a detour. I grew up in Sullivan County, TN, so I understandably have a soft spot for Isaac Shelby and his Overmountain Men from Sullivan County (NC at the time). Those Rebels from Rocky Top played an extremely underrated role in the American victory in the Revolution.

At Musgrove’s Mill, the 200 Patriots were led in part by Isaac Shelby and South Carolinian James Williams. They set a trap for 500 Loyalists. As the Loyalists approached and fired from far too great a distance, the Patriots held their fire until they could see the buttons on the Loyalists’ coats. The result was devastating: 67 Loyalists killed, an unknown number wounded, and 70 captured. The Patriots lost four killed and 12 wounded. Just days after the American disaster at Camden, the backcountry Patriots were showing they could fight…and win. Shelby’s men returned home over the mountains, only to reassemble again a month later, recross the mountains, and win the battle that Jefferson called the turning point of the Revolution: Kings Mountain.

We’ll find history anywhere. We’re Wilmington’s biggest history nerds, and our tours reflect it!

Hope y’all are well! Upcoming tours will be announced soon!

12/24/2023

On this Christmas Eve, we’re sharing some fun history from our sister company down in Savannah. Merry Christmas!

It’s that time of year again!

“Jingle Bells” - Savannah’s own? There’s no doubt the song was copyrighted while its writer lived in Savannah. That man, James Pierpont, had recently relocated from Medford, MA. Medford certainly gets credit for the song’s vivid scenery, but was it written in Savannah? To this day, both cities claim credit! As an interesting aside, Pierpont remained in Georgia upon the state’s secession and served in the Confederate cavalry.

Merry Christmas!

12/15/2023

Tomorrow's the day! Last Oakdale tour of 2023. The weather forecast is ideal, and Chris has a wonderful tour prepared. We do have some last-minute tickets available!

Experience true Wilmington. Dive deep into Wilmington's history with a former National Park Service Ranger and local historians. Book Now Why choose us With Wilmington True History Tours, your personal guides are a former National Park Service Ranger and historian with a degree from VMI and prominen...

12/10/2023

Did you know Oakdale Cemetery has a Jewish section where a number of American heroes now rest?

Join Dr. Chris Fonvielle Saturday, December 16 at 11:00 AM for a comprehensive, two-hour tour of Oakdale. Chris will cover the cemetery’s history from its founding right up through today. You’ll also meet a number of its residents! This tour has sold out the previous times it has been offered, so we recommend purchasing your ticket before the end of the week!

Happy Hanukkah to all our friends who celebrate!

12/07/2023

On this 82nd Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remind you to follow this amazing Twitter account as it tweets the events of that day in real time: https://twitter.com/USSArizona

This year, I think of our own Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr.'s father, Chris Eugene Fonvielle, VMI Class of 1942. Imagine how the world changed during his four years in Lexington. 82 years ago today, he and his fellow First Classmen would've been looking forward to wrapping up the semester and returning to their homes for Christmas. What thoughts went through their minds when they heard the news? Six months later, the Class of 1942 were graduates and serving our nation. 4,100 VMI alums served with 183 never returning home. American blood was first drawn on this day, and we take time to remember those brave men.

Honoring the Officers and Men of the USS Arizona (BB-39). Remember the USS Arizona. Remember December 7th. Remember Pearl Harbor.

11/22/2023

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, everyone! This Saturday, Chris Fonvielle will lead a walking tour of Oakdale Cemetery. You’ll learn the history of the place and meet many of its residents. The tour runs right at two hours and provides the perfect opportunity to get the family out of the house! Tickets at our website. Let us know if you have any questions!

11/13/2023

For those following our cruise last week on our Savannah page, you likely noticed our posts abruptly ended Monday evening. Tuesday morning, we received a call that my father had experienced a severe medical emergency and was airlifted to a hospital in Asheville, NC. By the Grace of God, our ship was docked in Norfolk, VA where my brother lives. He was able to drive us to Asheville that day. Thursday morning, dad experienced another major setback. He has valiantly been battling cancer for nearly two years. Things have stabilized a bit, but he faces a number of major battles in the coming days. Your prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated.

Thank you!
Brandon

11/03/2023

No historic post today, but the next week will be filled with them! Tomorrow, we leave for Baltimore to embark on the East Coast Inland Passage cruise with . Brandon will be serving as the onboard historian as the ship travels from Baltimore to Jacksonville. We’ll be onboard for the first week, traveling with guests as far as Charleston. One of the stops is our home, Wilmington! Cruise guests will be able to choose our tour as an excursion, as well as those from our sister company, . We can’t wait to start!

10/28/2023

Five tickets left for tonight’s tour!

10/27/2023

ONE ticket remaining for tonight's tour!

10/27/2023

Thanks for your interest in this weekend's Dark History Tours! Tonight's tour with Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. is nearly sold out (5 tickets remaining). We still have availability for Saturday's 5:00 PM tour with Chris (Perfect earlier start for families) and for Alex's Dark History Tour Monday at 6:00 PM. We'll keep you posted here should the other tours approach selling out.

As always, thank you for your support!

10/26/2023

The story of Boss and William Ellerbrock is one of the saddest in Downtown Wilmington’s long history. A German immigrant willing to risk everything to help a neighbor, and a pooch willing to do the same for his beloved human. Many know the story, but few have researched it (or are able to tell it) like Chris Fonvielle.

Dr. Fonvielle will be offering his own spin on our Dark History Tours this weekend. Picture his wonderful “Curious Tales of Old Wilmington” in the form of a walking tour. Tickets remain available for both evenings, but Friday is quickly marching toward a sellout. We can’t wait to see you this weekend!

Friday: 6:30 PM
Saturday: 5:00 PM. An earlier time perfect for families.

10/20/2023

St. James Churchyard. The legend of Samuel Jocelyn, Jr. Wilmingtonians know this story by heart. But was he really buried here at St. James? More importantly, was he buried ALIVE? Jocelyn’s tale is one of many that have left Wilmingtonians scratching their heads for decades. Mr. Wilmington History himself, Chris Fonvielle, set out to change that. Chris meticulously researched over a dozen of these tales and released his findings in two books: Curious Tales from Old Wilmington and More Curious Tales from Old Wilmington. Many of you have read those books. Want to walk the streets of Wilmington with the author while he presents those tales in person and on location? Well my fellow history geeks, we’re doing just that next weekend! Chris will be taking over our Dark History Tours to present his Curious Tales. Tours are Friday 10/27 at 6:30 PM and Saturday 10/28 at 5 PM. Can’t wait to see you then!

Have a great weekend, Wilmington!

10/13/2023

Happy Friday the 13th! Did you know Wilmington has seen at least one major historic event fall on a Friday the 13th? On Friday, January 13, 1865, the Second Battle of Fort Fisher began with a massive bombardment. It would last three days with over 19,000(!) shells being fired at the fort. The subsequent Union amphibious assault would capture the fort, closing the Confederacy’s last blockade running port. Lee’s surrender was less than three months away.

We have some amazing upcoming tours! Tomorrow, local educator Alex is giving a Dark History Tour. No ghosts, just true history. Come see the difference between a ghost tour and a Dark History Tour.

On Saturday 10/21, Chris Fonvielle is giving his Oakdale Cemetery Tour. This tour sold our last month, so grab your tickets soon!

On 10/27 & 10/28, Dr. Fonvielle is offering his own twist on our Dark History Tours. You’ve likely read his “Curious Tales of Old Wilmington” - Well this tour is that book in walking tour format! This is the first time this tour has been given, and it will truly be a treat!

10/06/2023

Pretty gross picture today, right? Well it is almost Halloween, but something very creepy was happening in Wilmington this very week in 1862. Yellow Fever had been running rampant since August. Many citizens left the city. Local slaves took advantage of the lack of whites in the streets to escape. Preachers and doctors died while administering to the sick. The city was hellish. When a frost finally occurred in early November, the city celebrated. In the end, however, it was too late: Over 650 Wilmingtonians were killed. That’s nearly 7% of the population of the city. Causes of Yellow Fever were debated until 1901 when Walter Reed confirmed it’s spread by mosquito.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be offering Dark History Tours that provide even greater detail into this horrendous time in Wilmington history. There’s no need to make anything up when a city has a history like Wilmington! Also, Chris Fonvielle will lead a tour of Oakdale Cemetery on October 21. There you’ll see where so many of these Yellow Fever victims lie.

09/29/2023

Happy Friday! Just a reminder that this evening’s Wilmington History Walk will conclude at NC’s oldest synagogue, Temple of Israel. Guide Glenn Tetterton can’t wait to show off the restoration efforts! Tickets are still available on our website: www.wilmingtontruehistory.com