Fort Fisher State Historic Site Hosts Living History Event to Mark the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II

Fort Fisher State Historic Site will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a special event on Saturday, Oct. 4. To mark the anniversary, a military vehicle convoy will travel from Fort Fisher to Kure Beach and back starting at 9 a.m. At the site, military and civilian re-enactors will set up living history displays on the green between the visitor center and earthworks. A period field kitchen and numerous historic military vehicles will be on display as well. Fort Fisher is administered by North Carolina Historic Sites, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The program runs from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and is free to the public. A full event schedule is available on Fort Fisher State Historic Site's website and social media channels. Parking is available at the visitor center, located at 1610 S. Fort Fisher Blvd., in Kure Beach.

While Fort Fisher's importance in Civil War history is well known, Fisher also played a role in World War II. Beginning in October 1941, anti-aircraft artillery soldiers trained on various weaponry as they prepared to deploy to the front lines. At its height, the Fort Fisher post could handle three battalions on a six-day training rotation. Between the post's opening and its closing in 1944, more than 40 AA battalions trained at Fort Fisher. As the Greensboro Daily News reported on April 27, 1941, "Old Ft. Fisher, which defended one of the last open ports of the Confederacy, once more will resound and shutter to heavy gunfire as plans move rapidly ahead on construction of a firing point at the fort for Camp Davis in eastern North Carolina."

About Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Fort Fisher State Historic Site offers visitors an in-depth look into the history of one of the most significant military sites of the American Civil War. Located near the Cape Fear River, Fort Fisher played a crucial role in the Confederacy's defense of the port of Wilmington, which was vital for maintaining supply lines. Today, the site features a variety of engaging tours, exhibitions, and educational programs that explore the fort's strategic importance, the fierce battles fought there, and the daily life of soldiers stationed at the fort. The site is located at 1610 Ft. Fisher Blvd. South Kure Beach, NC 28449E. For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/fort-fisheror call (910) 251-7340.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.

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