Compliments from Teachers

"What a fabulous experience we had today at the Museum of The Cape Fear!!!! My students and I thank you and our WONDERFUL guide for a truly awesome educational experience. Please, please, please keep offering these opportunities to boys and girls as we experience the history of North Carolina." Patti Hooker Cumberland County School Teacher February 2014

"Your tour guides were fabulous, my kids had the very best time with them today, thank you!" Home School Parent March 2014

Bus Parking

Teachers, please make your bus drivers aware of the bus parking spaces on Bradford Ave., beside the museum. Children will step off the bus and onto the sidewalk, which leads to the front door of the museum or Poe House. (Look for the bus parking signs and markings on the pavement.)

Bus Parking Only sign
School bus parking at the museum

Making a Field Trip Reservation

  • Select a couple of dates you wish to visit, such as a first and second choice, and what time you would like to visit. The museum opens at 10:00 AM but to accommodate school needs, tours can begin as early as 9:00 AM.
  • The maximum number of students we can accommodate varies per circumstance, please follow inquiry directions below to find out if we can accommodate your group. 
  • When you are ready to schedule a field trip, contact Megan Maxwell at megan.maxwell@dncr.nc.gov  to request a reservation. We require a minimum of two weeks advance notice for guided school tours. Please provide the following information in the email request.
    • School name, city, county, state and zip code. Please include the school phone number.
    • Grade level and number of students, teachers, chaperones, and parents expected to attend.
    • Name of the group contact and the group contact's cell phone number and email address.

Choose Your Tour

  • Museum Guided Tours can be scheduled for 4th through 8th Grade students only. 
  • Poe House Tours are available for 2nd Grade and up. 
  • COMBINATION TOUR: Tour both the museum & Poe House together; can take up to 2 1/2 hours

History Spy tour for kindergarten and preschool-aged students are led by the group leader and includes an activity sheet provided by the museum. 

Arsenal grounds are self-guided, or teacher led, only.

Will the group shop in the museum store?

Gift Shop Information and Rules

  • Shopping for souvenirs must occur after the tour
  • Add at least another 30 minutes to your visit to allow ample time for shopping
  • Only 10 to 12 students are permitted in the gift shop at one time (teachers are responsible for rotating children through the gift shop)
  • Only students with the ability to purchase an item may go into the shop. 

Teacher Resources

Teachers Packet with ideas for pre-visit and post-visit activities

Lesson plan aid -- NC Standard course of Study aligned with a museum field trip

Teachers, consider offering your students some extra credit for attending museum programs and special events. We can certify their attendance with a signed brochure or event program.