On-Site Activities

All on-site educational activities are available to all classes. Some components are staff-guided while others are teacher-led. Depending on the size of the group, components will not necessarily be experienced in this order. Every effort will be made to satisfy your requests; however, staff reserves the right to alter planned programming due to inclement weather or unanticipated staff shortages.

The core on-site program lasts 1 ½ hours and consists of three components:

  1. Museum Exhibits - A guided tour of the Ft. Anderson exhibit in the Visitors Center including a recreated bombproof, artifacts from the fort and information on torpedo warfare and the Cape Fear River Defenses. The highlight of the exhibit is the original garrison flag that flew over Ft. Anderson. This flag was presented to Gov. Oliver Morton of Indiana on March 17, 1865 and both President Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth witnessed the presentation. (Approximately 20 minutes)
  2. Fort Anderson Tour – Students will be led on a 3/4-mile guided tour through the town and fort. A historical interpreter will explain the importance of Brunswick Point, Fort Anderson, and the port of Wilmington. Because Fort Anderson is so well preserved and intact, students will be able to see the most significant parts of the fort and some of the damage caused by the bombardment. (Approximately 40 minutes, maximum 50 participants per tour; larger groups will be divided.)
  3. Student Activity (Choose one when booking your reservation):
  • Artillery Demonstration – "The King of Battle" Interpreters will introduce students to Civil War artillery and how the changes in technology influenced fort construction and truly made artillery the "King of Battle". This hands-on activity will allow students to learn about field artillery by performing artillery drill on an actual gun. (Approximately 20 minutes, maximum 50 participants; larger groups will be divided.)
  • "Ready, Aim, Fire" – students learn about the life and weapons of the infantryman with a costumed interpreter who leads a uniform discussion and performs a musket-firing demonstration. (Approximately 20 minutes.)|
  • Rainy Day Option - "Banners to Behold"- Flags of the North and South. Students will learn about the many flags that were used during the Civil War on both sides of the conflict and have a greater understanding of the importance of these national symbols. (Approximately 20 minutes)

If the group has additional time for its visit, they may wish to utilize one or both of these supplemental program components:

  1. Brunswick Town Tour – a self-guided tour of the remains of the colonial port town, including St. Philip's Anglican Church and foundations of 24 visible archaeological remains (Approximately 30 minutes)
  2. Student Activity – the additional student activity that was not selected as part of the core program.
  3. If interested in these additional activities, please request these at the time of booking your visit. Unless otherwise specified, these activities will occur after the core program has been completed.