Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Wilmington Ten

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. The Wilmington Ten Marker

Inscription. On this block at Gregory Congregational United Church of Christ was the focal point of the Wilmington Ten protests. Stemming from protests surrounding school desegregation in 1971. The Wilmington Ten were imprisoned for a decade on the charge of firebombing a local grocery store, known as “Mike's”. Their case drew international attention from human rights groups as being unjust. Their sentences were eventually commuted and they were pardoned in 2012 by N.C. Governor Beverly Perdue.

Erected by City of Wilmington, NC.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 34° 13.859′ N, 77° 56.434′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on Nun Street west of South 7th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 609 Nun St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s

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Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Walker-Warshauer House (a few steps from this marker); Warshauer House (within shouting distance of this marker); McLaughlin-Richard House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Redding House (about 300 feet away); Warren House (about 300 feet away); Morris-Shepard Cottage (about 300 feet away); Farrior-Taylor House (about 400 feet away); McEachern House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Ten. Wrongfully convicted of arson and conspiracy, the Wilmington Ten – eight African American high-school

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. The Wilmington Ten Marker

students, an African American minister, and a white female social worker – were victims of the racial and political turmoil during America’s civil rights era. (Elizabeth Hines, Britannica, 2014) (Submitted on December 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The 1970s: The Wilmington 10. Following an incident at a local high school, long-simmering racial tensions boil over in Wilmington, culminating in the wrongful conviction of 10 activists. (Philip Gerard, Our State magazine, March 2, 2021) (Submitted on December 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.