Enjoy it while visiting Wilmington in North Carolina
Dr. John Bellamy, along with his wife and 10 children, resided in this magnificent Greek Revival mansion during the 19th and 20th centuries. As one of the largest slaveholders in the state, Dr. Bellamy owned about 115 enslaved individuals. Today, visitors can explore the property’s 22 rooms, beautiful gardens, and restored slave quarters while knowledgeable tour guides share the history of the Bellamy family, the architecture of the mansion, and the lives of the enslaved people who worked there. According to historical records, nine enslaved men, women, and children were housed and employed on the premises.
Travelers have the opportunity to explore not only the mansion but also the two-story brick slave quarters. These quarters were built to complement the main house and consist of four sleeping chambers, a laundry room, and two five-seat privies. This type of housing was commonly used for enslaved workers in cities where slavery was allowed. The existing structure is considered one of the best-preserved examples in the country, offering a captivating comparison to the modest huts typically found on plantations.