Series: Wilmington, NC, WWII Heritage City

These lesson plans support the development of understanding the significance of Wilmington, NC as a WWII heritage city: its contributions to home front efforts such as defense manufacturing, civilian involvement, and Armed Forces presence. Each lesson includes a primary or secondary source reading, photographs, and activities. These short lessons are designed to fit into an hour or less. This series was created by Sarah Nestor Lane, educator.

  • Article 1: A Series of Lessons on Wilmington, NC, WWII Heritage City

    The Launching of the SS Charles Pinckney on May 10, 1942

    Wilmington Lesson Plans Introduction. All three lessons, and the culminating lesson, support the development of understanding the significance of Wilmington, NC as a WWII heritage city: its contributions to home front efforts such as defense manufacturing, civilian involvement, and Armed Forces presence. The lessons highlight specific Wilmington area landmarks and contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during wartime Read more

  • Article 2: (H)our History Lesson: N. C. Shipbuilding Co: Impacts on the WWII Home Front in Wilmington, NC

    The SS Zebulon Baird Vance launched into Cape Fear, December 6, 1941

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the WWII home front, highlighting Wilmington, North Carolina, as a designated WWII Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, reading, and a primary source, with an optional extension activity, to contribute to learners’ understandings of defense manufacturing, using N.C. Shipbuilding Co. in Wilmington, N.C. Read more

  • Article 3: (H)our History Lesson: The Armed Forces Presence on the WWII Home Front in Wilmington, NC

    A postcard showing the demonstration of a 50-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun at Camp Davis

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the WWII home front, with Wilmington, North Carolina, as a WWII Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, reading, and a primary source to contribute to learners’ understandings of stateside armed forces training and civilian defense support, using Montford Point as a focused example. Read more

  • Article 4: (H)our History Lesson: The USO Serving on the WWII Home Front in Wilmington, NC

    Postcard of the U.S.O. Club

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the WWII home front, with Wilmington, North Carolina, as a WWII Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, reading, and a primary source to contribute to learners’ understandings of community connections to the Armed Forces, such as through civilian volunteer efforts and recreation. Read more

  • Article 5: (H)our History Lesson: Wilmington, NC: Comparing and Connecting WWII Home Fronts

    A stage room with an American flag hanging from the back room.

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the WWII home front, with Wilmington, North Carolina, as a WWII Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, reading, and a primary source, with an optional activity, to contribute to learners’ understandings of Wilmington, N.C. as a WWII Heritage City. It combines lesson themes from the three other lessons in the collection to summarize the city’s contributions and encourage connections to the overall U.S. home front efforts. Read more

Last updated: January 27, 2024