Wilmington, North Carolina Historic Home Tours - Bellamy Mansion

Just prior to the start of the Civil War, Doctor John Dillard Bellamy's mansion was completed on the Cape Fear Coast. Antebellum artistry permeates from every inch of the massive structure, designed by James F. Post. John and his wife, Eliza and their nine children lived in the house until Fort Fisher fell in 1865. After control of the area was in the hands of Union forces, military officers commandeered the mansion for use as their headquarters. Union troops kept control of the home and grounds until throughout the Federal occupation of the city of Wilmington.

The house has since been converted into a museum detailing the history of the area and southern architectural design. The home was built with Italian and Greek revival influences. Now under the supervision of the North Carolina Preservation Society, the site is open to community tours and offers seasonal special events promoting Cape Fear history.

History

Bellamy secured the design services of James Post in 1859. Rufus Bunnell, a draftsman from Connecticut aided Post during the design and building process. Labor on the mansion was undertaken by both freed black carpenters and slaves. While Dr. Bellamy also owned several other homes and plantations in the region, the 22 room mansion was designed as the primary residence for the Bellamy family. The Bellamy family moved into the structure as the threat of Civil War loomed like a dark cloud over the entire country. Soon after getting settled inside the mansion walls the family was displaced due to an influx of yellow fever in the area.

During the early weeks of 1865, the town of Wilmington fell into the hands of Union troops. Occupying General, Joseph Hawley commandeered the property to use as the headquarters and housing of his troops. Even after the conflict between the states ended, General Hawley refused Dr. Bellamy's requests to vacate his property. It was only after Dr. Bellamy traveled by train to Washington D.C. For an audience with President Andrew Johnson, that military troops turned the property back over to its' rightful owner.

Dr. Bellamy and his children lived on the property until 1946, when the last remaining family member passed away. After Dr. Bellamy's daughter, Ellen died, multiple heirs stepped forward to lay claim to the property. Two descendents were awarded ownership, which was used infrequently by visiting renters and a small antique shop. The non-profit association, Bellamy Mansion Inc. was created in 1972. The organization's desire to restore the home to its' original splendor were daunted by a fire which swept through the structure. After a massive preservation effort, the Bellamy Mansion of History and Design Arts opened in 1994.

Bellamy Garden

Take a leisurely walk around the manicured pathways of the Bellamy Garden. Magnolia Grandifloras hang along the formal garden, which was recreated to mimic the original area created for Eliza Bellamy. The FloraBelles, volunteer group maintains the garden in the spirit of the loving attention Dr. Bellamy's wife once paid to her cherished plants. Mrs. Bellamy began preparing for her new garden space in 1835. She gathered seeds and flower specimens for her garden and flowerbeds so the grassy areas around the mansion would be alive with colorful sights and sweet smells. Native plant species dot the landscape of the garden, designed to withstand the hot coastal summers. The distinct scent of Cape Jasmine wafts through the garden air.

Although the book remains lost to history, Mrs. Bellamy kept a planting log detailing not only her growing efforts, but her design plans and floral experiments. During the 1930's, the garden fell into weeds and remained in a ravished state until the early 1990's. Through the efforts of the Cape Fear Garden Club, the garden now resembles Mrs. Bellamy's original influence. Photos of the garden, along with period Victorian landscaping design patterns aided the group in restoring the mansion green spaces.

Slave Quarters

The original slave quarters remain standing at the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts. The brick structures are referred to as the "most intact" of example of slave quarters in the south. The urban style buildings were called "negro houses" or servant's quarters. Bellamy Mansion slave quarters are typical of antebellum period plantations. The brick building is three rooms wide and one room deep without windows on the first floor. The quarters also housed a laundry room and sleeping chambers. The two-story structures typically utilized the first floor for working and "privies" and the upper floor for servant sleeping areas. The slave quarters were designed to compliment the style of the main house in exterior color. Brick walls once separated the slave quarters from the street, also offering some protection against fire and privacy for the mansion itself.

Tours

Visitors enter the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design from the Carriage House Visitor Center. The reconstructed structure also houses a gift shop and artwork. In addition to touring the historic home and grounds, special exhibits and workshops are held on-site throughout the year. A fee is charged to enter. Guests can also purchase a "3 Historic Homes Passport" ticket and receive discounted admission to multiple historic tours in the Cape Fear area.