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Wilmington History: 1898 Coup & Massacre Tour
4.6
27 Ratings
Wilmington
Explore Wilmington’s dark past with a historian-led tour of the 1898 coup and massacre. Uncover hidden truths and deepen your understanding.
Explore Wilmington’s dark past with a historian-led tour of the 1898 coup and massacre. Uncover hidden truths and deepen your understanding.
Duration:
1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Wilmington - Visitors will explore multiple sites linked to the Wilmington Coup/Massacre of 1898, such as the residences of both victims and perpetrators, key locations of speeches, and additional significant spots.
- Wilmington - Visitors will explore multiple sites linked to the Wilmington Coup/Massacre of 1898, such as the residences of both victims and perpetrators, key locations of speeches, and additional significant spots.
What's Included
- Guide included
- Guide included
What's Not Included
- Bottled water
- Bottled water
Additional Information
In 1898, the government of North Carolina was toppled by a white supremacist coup, marking the only successful coup d’état in American history. Wilmington experienced the most severe violence, with a dreadful massacre that terrorized the city. This historian-led tour aims to educate and inform both locals and visitors about this significant and tragic chapter in American history.
In 1898, the government of North Carolina was toppled by a white supremacist coup, marking the only successful coup d’état in American history. Wilmington experienced the most severe violence, with a dreadful massacre that terrorized the city. This historian-led tour aims to educate and inform both locals and visitors about this significant and tragic chapter in American history.
Location
Slice of Life Pizzeria & Pub Downtown
Market Street
We meet out front of Slice of Life, a charming and tasty pizza restaurant in downtown Wilmington, located at Market Street.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(27 Ratings)
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Angela_m
Mar 24, 2026
Great History Tour - Max is an articulate and captivating storyteller…and obviously a great student of history! As we walked (with timely rest stops along the way), he did a phenomenal job describing both the key players and critical events leading up to and including November 10th, 1898…while presenting all key points clearly, audibly, and in a logical fashion. In addition, he always ensured the safety of his group (there were 8 of us) as we navigated the historic streets of Wilmington. Highly recommend this tour if you enjoy history…you won’t be disappointed!
Review provided by Viator
Cherita_a
Feb 8, 2026
Come prepared physically and mentally - Wear good and comfortable walking shoes! This is a walking tour. There are a couple of opportunities to sit while the guide talks, but depends on the size of the group if you get a seat. That being said Max, out guide, was so informative and full of knowledge and care for the history. While I already knew about the massacre, Max provided details and timelines that I had not heard of before as well as its context within the larger political landscape at the time. I enthusiastically highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Karolina
Jan 17, 2026
Great tour guide, great history, good walk around historic district. - Our tour was amazing. Max did a wonderful job telling the entire *true* story of the Wilmington Coup, giving us the opportunity to ask questions, understand everything that happened and the order of events. I highly recommend Max as a tour guide, everyone should take the time to learn our city’s history and political background. Thank you, Max, for your time, care and dedication to our history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brook
Dec 27, 2025
Thoughtful, Worthwhile Tour of Difficult History - Our tour guide did a fantastic job telling the horrible story of the 1898 Wilmington Coup and Massacre. He took us to places both marked and unmarked where the events unfolded, brought in first-person accounts and oral histories, and shared many resources for how to learn more about this “criminally under-discussed” event in American history. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ron_l
Dec 13, 2025
A fascinating and deeply educational tour - In our afternoon with Max, we gained a deep insight into the Wilmington massacre and coup. Max was prepared, well-organized and easy to listen to. We found the topic - my wife had read “Wilmington Lies”; I haven’t but will - fascinating and pertinent to current day.
Review provided by Viator
Edna_t
Nov 2, 2025
This is a walking tour - not, as advertised on tripadvisor a Bus tour - This tour is listed in TripAdvisor under "Bus Tours" and thats what we thought we were getting. The walking tour was great and, although we had two people awaiting knee replacement surgery, they were able to make it through it okay. Max Goodman, our guide, was very helpful in taking sit down breaks at convenient stops.
Review provided by Viator
Catoesec
Oct 31, 2025
Outstanding tour! - Jack is a fabulous tour guide. She is extremely knowledgeable, articulate, animated, thorough and friendly. The tour was very interesting, informative, and well placed.
We enjoyed it very much. We highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sally
Oct 4, 2025
Jack is very knowledgeable and a great walking companion! - We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour. After reading a lot about the Wilmington coup and massacre, it was a rich experience to have this history brought to life.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diane_p
Sep 14, 2025
Great Tour! - Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and took his time explaining the history of the Wilmington Coup. Lots of walking but very enjoyable
Review provided by Viator
Iris
Oct 19, 2025
Great learning about this understated event, thank you - Max did a great job with the history and had a passion for education! The locations were difficult to imagine along with the history, which speaks to the lack of recognition given to this historical event.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
