50 years ago, on May 16 and 17, 1971, a fire destroyed Hemenway Hall in downtown Wilmington. The New Hanover County Board of Education building, built in 1915, was formerly Hemenway School. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but the anniversary opens a window to a time of great unrest in Wilmington.

<p>50 years ago, on May 16 and 17, 1971, a fire destroyed Hemenway Hall in downtown Wilmington. The New Hanover County Board of Education building, built in 1915, was formerly Hemenway School. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but the anniversary opens a window to a time of great unrest in Wilmington.</p>

StarNews Media Presents "Cape Fear Unearthed," a podcast digging into the history books of Southeastern North Carolina. The weekly podcast will feature stories drawn from the region's persisting legends, historical oddities and mysterious figures that have helped shape its legacy and culture.

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