We all know that Wilmington is full of history and charm as our city was settled by English and European immigrants in the early 1700’s. Much of the downtown area is accompanied by cobble stone streets and old buildings, serving as a reminder of the history of this quaint coastal community. As you travel away from the downtown Historic area, however, it is easy to forget that you are in a city that was inhabited by settlers nearly three hundred years ago. Poplar Grove Plantation is situated on highway 17 N. Among all of the new strip malls and restaurants sit a little piece of history.
The mansion which sat on over 600 acres of land that was purchased in 1795 and was built in 1849 by the Foy family. The home which stayed in the Foy family for six generations was bought in 1980 and turned into a museum that boasts over 4,200 square feet and twelve fireplaces. The crops at Poplar Grove produced peas, corn and beans but the primary cash crop at Poplar Grove was peanuts. Poplar Grove has been added to National Register of Historic Homes, and should be added to your list of must see’s if you are a history buff.
Aside from the historical value that this home site brings to the area, it offers several miles of hiking trails in the wooded acreage around the old plantation home. The trails known as the "Abbey Nature Preserve" are dog friendly and full of beautiful trees, plants, flowers and wildlife. Depending on which trail you travel you can look forward to a walk over and along beautiful wetlands, a pond, and a large grassy open field. Beware of snakes! While the field looks like a great place to let the dogs run free, it has been said that snakes are frequently spotted in the fields, so enter at your own risk.
For more information visit: Poplar Grove Plantation 10200 US Highway 17 N., Wilmington, NC 28411 (910) 686-9518. www.poplargrove.com
Written By: BlueCoast Agent Kathryn Jeffries