Missiles and More Museum features dug-out canoes and pirates and the guided missile technology developed on the island. Camp Davis memorabilia, an exhibit about women pilots, and a new exhibit of an Operation Bumblebee Tower are among just a few of the displays. Admission is free. On Thursday nights during the summer, the Historical Society of Topsail Island hosts Bingo! as a fundraiser. Missiles and More Museum is located at 720 Channel Blvd. in Topsail Beach.
Pender County Museum is a gem of a place that features everything from blacksmithing to blueberries. The historic home, the first brick home in Burgaw, offers displays of early medicine, gowns, schools, and more. The Pender County Museum is located at 200 W. Bridgers St.
Penderlea Homestead Museum is approximately 11 miles outside Burgaw, but it is well worth a visit. Penderlea Homestead Museum is a preserved New Deal Penderlea farmhouse. The community, established during F.D. Roosevelt's presidency, was designed to provide families with a place to live and to grow their own crops and livestock. The families pulled together and built a cannery, the auditorium, churches, and more. The museum also offers a wonderful display of farm equipment. Mostly open by appointment on Saturdays, Penderlea Homestead Museum is located at 284 Garden Rd. in Williard. Call 910-604-1616 for an appointment.
If you are searching for genealogy, visit the Dallas Herring Library Annex. This gem features family histories, maps, digitized Pender County newspapers, and more. This treasure trove of history is preserved by the Pender County Library. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., the Dallas Herring Library Annex is located at 108 S. Cowan St. in Burgaw. For more information, call 910-259-1906.
Poplar Grove Plantation, located at 10200 US Hwy 17 in Scotts Hill, is a beautiful manor home with a rich history. Originally a farm owned by Revolutionary War hero Cornelius Harnett, Poplar Grove was purchased by the Foy Family. The farm was once the largest producer of peanuts in the state. They have a rich Gullah Geechee heritage. The outbuildings featured quarters for enslaved and later tenant farmers, a blacksmith shop, and more. Daily tours begin May 20. If you like spooky things that go bump in the night, visit one of their paranormal tours. Adjacent to Poplar Grove are the Shoppes at Poplar Grove, featuring teas, coffee, and more.
