Azalea Festival Home Tour
Saturday and Sunday, April 15 & 16 (1PM-5PM)
presented as part of the 2023 Azalea Festival
Want to buy your ticket ($40) in person?
On the days of the tour (during tour hours), tickets may be purchased at HWF’s Sales & Info booth, located in the parking lot of Sunset Park Baptist Church (231 Central Blvd).
All details may be found in our FAQ section at the bottom of this page!
Think of your Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket as a key, unlocking and welcoming you inside homes you’ve long admired, as well as some stunning hidden gems! From the quaint to the grand, step inside bungalows, Queen Anne homes, and more—and in doing so, enter and explore our community’s past. As you wander through Wilmington’s Sunset Park historic district, surprise awaits: the complement of new and old, the charming interplay of architectural styles. Expect the unexpected and delight in pristinely preserved architectural treasures as well as uniquely repurposed and upcycled elements. Get inspired and get excited: The only home tour special enough to be part of the legendary Azalea Festival is coming soon!
Proceeds from the Azalea Festival Home Tour support the Historic Wilmington Foundation and its efforts to preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic resources of the Lower Cape Fear region.
2023 Azalea Festival Home Tour: Sunset Park
Featured Houses
231 Central Blvd (Sunset Park Baptist Church)
416 Central Blvd (Chadwick House)
306 Central Blvd (Nurnberger House)
301 Central Blvd (LeGwin House)
242 Northern Blvd (Vann House)
128 Northern Blvd (Watkins House)
2076 Harrison St (Maples House)
41 Central Blvd (Allen House)
30 Central Blvd (Blake House)
History of Sunset Park
In 1912, the Fidelity Trust & Development Co. established a planned community named Sunset Park. The neighborhood’s name was created by the Wilmington Star circulation editor, Montrose Bain, via a contest. Sunset Park promised residents modern conveniences in a beautifully landscaped neighborhood overlooking the Cape Fear River. Like Wilmington’s other suburban developments, Sunset Park covenants restricted African Americans from purchasing lots.
Upon America’s entry into WWI in 1917, Sunset Park became the closest neighborhood to new shipyards contributing to the war effort. Soon, Victory Home Company began purchasing lots and constructing residences in Sunset Park to meet the acute housing demand caused by the influx of shipyard workers. By the time WWII broke out in 1941, Sunset Park’s identity became entwined with Wilmington’s shipyards and its workers. One year after the State Ports Authority was established, the City of Wilmington annexed Sunset Park. Today, Sunset Park is one of Wilmington’s eight historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LET’S GET IT STARTED
We’ll kick off the tour with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30pm on Saturday, April 15th at the D. N. Chadwick House (416 Central Boulevard). Join city, county, and state dignitaries as we welcome tour-goers and celebrate our city’s historic fabric. Plus, we’ll be moving and grooving to the music of the jazzy Jim Ferris Duo!
SPECIAL TREAT FOR TOUR-GOERS
Boombalatti’s ice cream truck, Sprinkles, will provide free ice cream to ticket-holders (while supplies last, Saturday only) at the parking lot of Sunset Park Baptist Church (231 Central Blvd).
Presenting Sponsor:
CORNING CREDIT UNION MORTGAGE
2023 Annual Sponsors
Balding Design Build
402 Carl Street, Unit 101
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.251.2721
Hogue Hill, LLP
101 South 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.763.4565
Bob King Buick GMC, Inc.
5115 New Centre Drive
Wilmington, NC 28428
910.782.2982
Mark S. Kennedy, CPA, PLLC
910.742.2478
mark.kennedy@mskcpa1.com
Brigitte Simone Real Estate, Inc.
1025 N. Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910.617.7743
Mason, Mason, and Smith, Attorneys at Law
514 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.444.3505
The Cameron Team
110 Dungannon Blvd Ste 100
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.202.2546
MoMentum Companies
103 South Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.519.3003
Decision Point Wealth Consulting at UBS
1985 Eastwood Road, Suite 110
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.509.2166
Patriot Roofing & Exteriors
921 Princess Street, Suite 155
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.218.0600
First Bank
201 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.343.0181
WHQR Public Media
254 N. Front Street, Suite 300
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.343.1640
Azalea Festival Home Tour Sponsors
Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream
1005 N. 4th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.660.8244
PuroClean Restoration Professionals
114 S. Kerr Ave, Suite B
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.793.8586
Clancy & Theys Construction Company
2250 Shipyard Blvd Suite 1
Wilmington, NC 28403
919.834.3601
Silkwood, Inc.
1119 James Aly
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.443.4790
End of Days Distillery
1815 Castle Street
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.399.1133
St. Stephen AME Church
501 Red Cross Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.762.9829
Greenfield Lake Law
2201 East Lake Shore Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401
919.710.1860
Stevens Ace Hardware
1831 Dawson Street
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.762.7977
Horton & Mendez, Attorneys at Law, PLLC
705 Princess Street, Suite 200
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.668.4420
Thorpe Landscapes
2003 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC 28401
910.632.0221
Lauren Mintz, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
200 N. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
203.581.2427
Whalen Team at KW Innovate
1001 Military Cutoff Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
910.218.1490
FAQs
I purchased my ticket(s) online. Where do I get my printed ticket(s)?
Pick up your printed ticket before you begin your tour! Simply keep your confirmation email handy; you may print out a copy, or pull the email up on your mobile device. Before beginning your tour, pick up your printed ticket at HWF’s Sales & Informational Booth, located in the parking lot of Sunset Park Baptist Church (231 Central Blvd). When you present the registration email, a representative from HWF will provide you with a paper ticket, complete with a map and guide to the tour homes.
If you’d like to pick up your ticket prior to the tour, you may do so starting on Friday, March 24th at the Historic Wilmington Foundation’s office (211 Orange Street). HWF’s offices are open Monday through Friday from 10AM-4PM.
I don't like to buy tickets online. Where can I purchase them in person?
When buying tickets in person, you have several options:
- HISTORIC WILMINGTON FOUNDATION: Come visit our headquarters (211 Orange Street) to purchase your ticket! We’re open Mondays through Fridays from 10AM-4PM.
- LEGACY ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE: Stop by Legacy Architectural Salvage (1831-B Dawson Street) during business hours to get your Home Tour ticket! Legacy is located in the back warehouse portion of Stevens Ace Hardware, and the shop is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9AM-2PM, and on Thursdays from 9AM-5PM.
- HARRIS TEETER: Tickets are available for sale at all local Harris Teeter locations. VIC card holders get a $1 discount! You may purchase your Home Tour ticket at the Customer Service Desk.
- NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL OFFICE: Grab your tickets for the Home Tour (and perhaps other Azalea Festival happenings!) at the NC Azalea Festival office, located at 5725 Oleander Drive, Suite B7.
Can I purchase my tickets in person on the day of the event?
Yes, you may! Stop by our Sales & Info Booth, located in the parking lot of the Sunset Park Baptist Church (231 Central Blvd). You may buy your ticket with cash, credit card, or check!
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
No, but please keep your children with you, and do not bring strollers or car seats inside the tour homes. (Kids under the age of 12 can attend for free!) Please have your ticket with you at all homes on the tour.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Sunset Park: The historic Sunset Park neighborhood offers a plethora of on-street parking options. Free parking is also available during tour hours (1pm-5pm) at Sunset Park Baptist Church (231 Central Blvd). Please respect parking hours, so as not to interfere with church services.
What may I bring into the event?
Pack lightly, as you will be walking from house to house while in each neighborhood. Please do not bring food or drink into the tour homes; also, do not bring pets with you on the tour.
If I'm bringing my child/children, do they need a ticket?
Tickets must be purchased for children ages 12 or over. Younger children may attend for free!
What’s the refund policy?
HWF relies on ticket sales to support the mission of preserving and protecting Wilmington’s historic, irreplaceable resources. As such, we have a no-refund policy for the Azalea Festival Home Tour.
Where can I find more information about the Azalea Festival?
For general festival information, visit the Official Festival Website.
When can I take the tour? Do I have to start somewhere in particular?
Your ticket, your time, your tour! Each Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket is good for the full weekend. Tour-goers can attend either or both days, and may start or end at any point along the route.
Is the Azalea Festival Home Tour accessible for those with limited mobility?
The Azalea Festival Home Tour is over one mile in length, depending on your route. Due to the historic nature of the featured homes, all require tour goers to traverse stairs. We advise those with mobility concerns to call our office with any additional questions: (910) 762-2511.
How can I contact the organizer with questions?
Please call HWF at 910.762.2511, or email hometour@historicwilmington.org.