Wilmington's Historic Homes Showcased in Azalea Festival Tour

Annual fundraiser for the Historic Wilmington Foundation draws crowds to see preserved architecture

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:04am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph showing the soft, blurred outline of an elegant historic home surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant azalea flowers, conveying the atmospheric mood of the Azalea Festival home tour.The annual Azalea Festival home tour in Wilmington, North Carolina allows visitors to appreciate the city's historic architecture and the ways residents have preserved these properties.Wilmington Today

The Azalea Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina wrapped up its annual events on Sunday, including a popular home tour that showcased the city's historic architecture. The tour, which ran over the weekend, allowed visitors to see a range of architectural styles and carefully renovated homes, serving as the largest fundraiser for the Historic Wilmington Foundation.

Why it matters

The home tour event is crucial for the Historic Wilmington Foundation, which works to preserve and protect historic buildings and structures in the region. Proceeds from the tour go directly towards the foundation's preservation efforts, helping to maintain the unique character and history of Wilmington's neighborhoods.

The details

The home tour featured a variety of architectural styles and renovations, with the oldest home being the 183-year-old Dudley Chadbourn House. Officials said the warm weather and the distinctive nature of each home draw large crowds to the event each year, allowing visitors to appreciate how residents have made these historic properties their own.

  • The Azalea Festival wrapped up on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The home tour ran on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Historic Wilmington Foundation

A non-profit organization that works to preserve and protect historic buildings and structures in the Wilmington, North Carolina region.

Brigitte Simone Hendy

The Home Tour Committee Chair for the Historic Wilmington Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“People just appreciate being able to see how people live in their historic homes and they ways they've made them their own.”

— Brigitte Simone Hendy, Home Tour Committee Chair, Historic Wilmington Foundation

“Proceeds from this event go towards the historic Wilmington foundation, which serves to preserve and protect historic buildings and structures in the tri-county area.”

— Brigitte Simone Hendy, Home Tour Committee Chair, Historic Wilmington Foundation

What’s next

The Historic Wilmington Foundation will use the funds raised from the 2026 Azalea Festival home tour to continue their efforts to preserve historic buildings and structures in the Wilmington region.

The takeaway

The Azalea Festival home tour highlights Wilmington's commitment to preserving its unique architectural heritage, with proceeds from the event directly supporting the Historic Wilmington Foundation's mission to maintain the character and history of the city's neighborhoods.