Wrightsville Beach Museum of History

Wrightsville Beach Museum of History Our mission is to tell the story of Wrightsville Beach through the years and a range of experiences. We link the past to the present, valuing both.

We are always happy to welcome you to the museum and to hear of your interest in the history of Wrightsville Beach.

‘I WAS HERE’ - only 1.5 days left to see our summer student show! On view 10am-7pm at Seapath’s clubhouse, Aug 5-6.
08/05/2026

‘I WAS HERE’ - only 1.5 days left to see our summer student show! On view 10am-7pm at Seapath’s clubhouse, Aug 5-6.

WBM's Summer Student Show is now on view at Seapath Marina & Yacht Club's Clubhouse! Tonight Weds 5 we will be hosting a...
08/05/2026

WBM's Summer Student Show is now on view at Seapath Marina & Yacht Club's Clubhouse! Tonight Weds 5 we will be hosting a special artist talk with Ben & Jen Keys. We will have special rare Ben Keys WB collection paintings on view for tonight only! We also have a special bonus guest, Ray McAllister - author of "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island." This is an incredible opportunity to purchase a copy signed by both Ray and Ben. "I WAS HERE" will be on view Aug 5-6 only. The gallery is open to the public from 10am-7pm. RSVP via Eventbrite. Link in Bio!

Opening tonight! Please join us to celebrate the amazing effort of the students in the WBM Summer Education program. Spe...
08/04/2026

Opening tonight! Please join us to celebrate the amazing effort of the students in the WBM Summer Education program. Special thanks to Dr. Jennifer LeZotte, Live Wedding & Event Painter, Ben Keys Mary-Clare Studio for supporting our students!

"I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum at Shell Island" is almost here! We are excited to announce that Author Ray M...
08/03/2026

"I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum at Shell Island" is almost here! We are excited to announce that Author Ray McAllister will be joining us Weds Aug 5 as a special surprise bonus guest for our artist talk with Ben Keys Fine Art Studio! Ben's paintings are featured in Ray's beloved book "WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH: The Luminous Island" and this talk is your chance to buy a special copy signed by both Ben Keys and Ray McAllister! wbmailbox.eventbrite.com

Working on the final touches for our student show. The students in the program have worked so hard for this and we hope ...
08/02/2026

Working on the final touches for our student show. The students in the program have worked so hard for this and we hope you will join us. ‘I WAS HERE’ - on view Aug 4-6.

The WBM Summer Education program capstone project Pop-Up Exhibition is only a few days away! Our students are so excited...
07/31/2026

The WBM Summer Education program capstone project Pop-Up Exhibition is only a few days away! Our students are so excited to share with you what they have been working on all summer! "I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum Mailbox at Shell Island" is a special exhibition featuring three amazing exhibits and two special events. The exhibition is three days only - Aug 4-6. Don't miss your chance to make history with us! RSVP today to reserve your space. wbmailbox.eventbrite.com

To RSVP for the Opening Reception Cookout (featuring hot dogs fresh off the grill, baked beans & macaroni and cheese generously donated by Middle of the Island Catering, and more!) RSVP for August 4, 5:00pm - Opening Cookout Ticket.

To RSVP for An Evening with Ben & Jen Keys, RSVP for August 5, 5:30PM - An Evening with Ben Keys ticket

The exhibit is on view and open to the public in three hour slots. WBM is a small 501c3 nonprofit museum dependent on the kindness of our patrons. $25 suggested donation. All donations directly ensure WBM is able to stay free and open to the public.

I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum Mailbox at Shell Island. Built by the Students in the WBM Summer Education Program. Made by You.

ARTIST TALK FEATURING BEN & JEN KEYS - "I WAS HERE" Pop-Up Exhibition Special Event - wbmailbox.eventbrite.com
07/31/2026

ARTIST TALK FEATURING BEN & JEN KEYS - "I WAS HERE" Pop-Up Exhibition Special Event - wbmailbox.eventbrite.com

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a professional artist? Or how someone becomes a professional artist? Join u...
07/30/2026

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a professional artist? Or how someone becomes a professional artist? Join us for a special talk featuring Ben & Jen Keys hosted by local student artist and curator Olivia Stetler as part of I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Mailbox at Shell Island pop-up exhibition at Seapath Yacht Club's Clubhouse. This event will include a special showing of selections from the Ben Keys Wrightsville Beach Museum collection.

Jen met Ben after she discovered one of his coastal landscape paintings hanging in an office. The two fell in love and tied the knot in one of downtown Charleston's gorgeous art galleries. Today, Ben and Jen collaborate to serve couples with one-of-a-kind heirloom wedding art and a seamless experience. Ben is one of the country's top live wedding painters, while Jen assists clients as Studio Manager. They are so excited to share their story and the role that making the Wrightsville Beach painting series early in Ben's career had in starting their journey.

Olivia Stetler is a student at Wilmington Early College and key founding member of the WBM Junior Docents. Olivia is avid painter and student artist who uses her studio arts skills to make her award winning National History Day Projects. I WAS HERE features a special exhibit exploring the relationship between studio art and historical interpretation curated by Olivia.

I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum at Shell Island
ON VIEW: Aug 4-6 @ Seapath Marina and Yacht Club Clubhouse (Just off the marina, parking lot accessible from Dock Dr & Causeway Dr).
ARTIST TALK FEATURING BEN & JEN KEYS: Aug 5 - 5:30pm-7pm
To reserve your place, please RSVP via eventbrite using the August 5, 5:30 ticket.
WBMAILBOX.EVENTBRITE.COM

"I WAS HERE" was made possible by an Arts & Culture grant from The Endowment administered by Arts Council of Wilmington. Junior Docents is an independently chartered Tar Heel Junior Historian Association . Tar Heel Junior Historians is administered by the North Carolina Museum of History.

We are so proud of our students! WBM Summer Education program hosted New Hanover County students from 10+ schools and bu...
07/30/2026

We are so proud of our students! WBM Summer Education program hosted New Hanover County students from 10+ schools and built 3 exhibits! Please join us August 4-6 at Seapath Marina & Yacht Club for our student show I WAS HERE: The Wrightsville Beach Museum Mailbox at Shell Island. Opening Reception Cookout - Aug 4, 5pm-8pm. Please RSVP! The students learned applied archival science, communications design, and creative arts skills they are so excited to share with you. This exhibition and program was made possible by The Endowment and Arts Council of Wilmington .

Preparing for our student pop-up show, Aug 4-6 at Seapath Marina & Yacht Club’s clubhouse! I WAS HERE will allow our stu...
07/29/2026

Preparing for our student pop-up show, Aug 4-6 at Seapath Marina & Yacht Club’s clubhouse! I WAS HERE will allow our students to share the amazing applied archival science, communications design, and creative arts projects they have been working on all summer. The exhibit features a photo installation of people of WB & Shell Island throughout the years, an exhibit about the people of Shell Island Beach, a special exhibit connecting studio art with history interpretation, and an artifact exhibit featuring the original ‘Mailbox at the Steps’ and selections from 23 years of letters and notebooks from the project. wbmailbox.eventbrite.com

Address

303 W Salisbury Street
Wrightsville Beach, NC
28480

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+19102562569

Website

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