Heritage & Museums

82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum / Exit 52  (image to the right)

Intersection of Gela & Ardennes St, Fort Bragg
910-432-3443, 910-432-5307
Houses the history of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1917 to the present and features photographic exhibits, static displays, artifacts, and a film and gift shop.
http://www.bragg.army.mil/18abn/museums.htm

Airborne & Special Operations Museum / Exit 52  (image to the right)

100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville
910-483-3003
Part of the U.S. Army Museum System, explore the 60-year history of airborne and special operations units through dramatic, life-size, imaginative and interactive exhibits.
http://asomf.org

Ava Gardner Museum / Exit 95  (image to the right)

325 E. Market St, Smithfield
919-934-5830
Home to an incredible collection including original scripts, photos, costumes and personal effects of screen legend Ava Gardner – a true Hollywood “Cinderella” story.
http://www.avagardner.org

Benson Museum of Local History / Exit 79  (image to the right)

104 W. Main St., Benson
919-894-3553
Established to collect, preserve and display items of historical significance including railroad and military memorabilia, antiques, quilts and farming artifacts. New Museum opened in June, 2010 with interpretive displays. Open half-days Wednesday-Saturday.

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site / Exit 90  (image to the right)

5466 Harper House Rd, Four Oaks
910-594-0789
Site of the largest Civil War land battle fought in NC in an attempt to stop Sherman’s march. Site includes a museum, the Harper House and union earthworks and trails.
http://bentonvillebattlefield.nchistoricsites.org

Boyette Slave & Schoolhouse / Exit 107

2331 Glendale Rd, Kenly
919-284-3431
This one-room log house of hand-hewn planks is joined by full dove-tail notches and pegs and features a mud and stick chimney.

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum / Exit 52

116 Green St, Fayetteville
910-829-9171
A place for children to explore their world the way they learn best: through creative role-playing and interaction with each other and the objects around them.
http://fascinate-U.com

Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum / Exit 52  (image to the right)

Russell and Ray Ave, Fayetteville
910-433-1455
Housed in the restored Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad depot, this museum focuses on the history of transportation in Cumberland County from Native American times to early 20th century.

Historic Halifax / Exit 168  (image to the right)

25 Saint David St, Halifax
252-583-7191
Site of the adoption of the Halifax Resolves, the first official action for independence by any colony. Ten historic structures, museum, film, living history demonstrations and archeological exhibit. Admission is free.
http://nchistoricsites.org/halifax/halifax.htm

Imagination Station Science Museum / Exit 121

202 W. Nash St, Wilson
252-291-5113
Science education museum with many exhibits for every age with up-close experiences, daily live science programs, live animals and demonstrations.
http://imaginescience.org

John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum / Exit 52

Corner of Ardennes & Marion Streets, Fort Bragg
910-432-1533, 910-432-4272
Houses a collection of fascinating weapons, military art and cultural items from all over the world. Emphasis on special forces (Green Berets).
http://bragg.army.mil/18abn/museums.htm

Johnston County Heritage Center / Exit 95

241 E. Market St, Smithfield
919-934-2836
The Heritage Center is one of the best-equipped facilities for studying local history and genealogy, and it offers a large collection of public records, manuscripts and family histories.
http://johnstonnc.com/heritage

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex / Exit 52  (image to the right)

801 Arsenal Ave, Fayetteville
910-486-1330
Three historic resources in one setting: Museum galleries tell history of Southeast NC from native American times; Arsenal Park houses the remains of the Fayetteville Arsenal; Also, tour the EA Poe house, a restored circa-1897 home.
http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/osm/mcf.html

North Carolina Baseball Museum / Exit 116

300 Stadium St, Wilson
252-296-3048
This museum, located at Historic Fleming Stadium, features baseball memorabilia from such players as Catfish Hunter, Hoyt Wilhelm, Gaylord Perry, Enos Slaughter Rick Ferrell and Buck Leonard.
http://wilsonnc.org

Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum / Exit 121

1202 E. Nash St, Wilson
252-296-3056
Features artifacts that depict the culture and contribution of African-Americans to the history and development of Wilson. The house was built in 1946 by Freeman, a noted local black stonemason.
http://freemanroundhouse.com

Railroad Modelers Train / Exit 116

The Antique Barn, 2810 Forest Hills Blvd, Wilson 
252-237-6778
This train operates over a double-track main line that transverses 65 modules. The engine has a capacity of 60 engines on a seven scale mile track and offers bridges, mountains, trestles and staging yard.

Remembering Tillery / Exit 168  (image to the right)

321 Community Center Rd, Tillery
252-826-3017
This site tells the story of a 1930’s Resettlement Community, part of the “New Deal.” Transplanted into an exiting community, settlers purchased 40 acres and a mule to begin their lives raising crops and families along the mighty Roanoke River. The community suffered greatly during the Roanoke River flood of 1940.
http://cct78.org

Roanoke Canal Museum / Exit 173  (image to the right)

15 Jackson St. Ext, Roanoke Rapids
252-537-2769
Interactive museum showcasing our transportation, power generation and industrialization history via the Roanoke River and Roanoke Canal.
http://roanokecanal.com

Selma Historic Union Station / Exit 97

500 Railroad St, Selma
919-965-9841
This 1924 station has been completely restored and now provides Amtrak service. Enjoy exhibits and memorabilia on rail history and the Town of Selma.
http://selma-nc.com