Join ROW:  Residents of Old Wilmington Incorporated

• Letter of Invitation
• Membership Info
• Application Form

Neighbors Bringing New Life to an Historic Community Since 1973

We cordially invite you to become a member of Residents of Old Wilmington, Inc. a not-for-profit downtown neighborhood association, bringing new life to an historic community for over thirty years.  Membership provides a delightful opportunity to meet and socialize with your neighbors.

Prior to 1973 the primary civic organization for downtown residents were the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society and the Historic Wilmington Foundation.  Residents found that history and preservation, while important cultural issues, were not their most pressing concerns.  Economic development, safe neighborhoods, zoning, beautification and political visibility were.

To meet these needs, a group of about 40 residents founded the Residents of Old Wilmington (ROW) in 1973.  The new organization gave them a common language for communication, the capacity to identify and address issues proactively, and a means to provide resources for neighborhood improvements.

Community spirit was an attribute of those residents who pooled their ability and resources to sustain the ambiance of this lively, close-knit urban neighborhood by the river.  Their legacy continued for three decades as ROW grew and helped to shape a thriving downtown residential community.  Over the years ROW has influenced many policy issues and contributed to numerous community projects.  The following is only a partial listing of its varied accomplishments.

• Donating resources to beautification projects on Market and Castle Streets, the urban park adjacent to the main library, the City's matching grant tree program, brick street restoration, and the Tileston School brick wall;
• Providing support to several downtown cultural institutions:  the Railroad Museum, Bellamy Mansion, Thalian Hall, and the Historic Wilmington Foundation;
• Conceiving three Wilmington Traditions - "Old Wilmington Candlelight Tour", "Riverfest", and "Azalea Festival Historic Homes Tour";
• Collaborating with public and private organization working to resolve some of the problems that plague downtown neighborhoods (DARE, Downtown Community Watch, Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission and Downtown Wilmington Association);
• Creating social bonds by hosting an annual holiday party and summer picnic.

The "glue" that holds a community together is its citizenry.  Wilmington has become a magnet for some of the best minds, artistic talent and civic-minded individuals in American Society.  Row aspires to be fully representative of the diversity and talent of our downtown neighborhoods.

The future of New Hanover County as a desirable place to live will be measured by the vibrancy of Wilmington as a nucleus for the region.  We welcome you to join ROW's efforts to sustain an energetic, prosperous and balanced community in downtown Wilmington.

Membership Info

Anyone living between Red Cross and Queen Streets, from Eighth to the River, is eligible to become a voting member.  Anyone living elsewhere who is concerned about issues affecting the downtown area may become a friend of ROW.

Dues:  Annual Membership dues for both voting members and friends are $10 for an individual and $20 for a household.

Meetings:  Membership meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (except June, July, August, & December) at 7:00 PM in Tileston School, 412 Ann Street.

Notices of meetings and other activities are published in the Newsletter distributed to paid members, and are also published in the "Calendar" column of the Star-News.

Application

Dues are payable at meetings or by check sent to:        ROW, Inc.

                                                                                   PO Box 1862

                                                                                   Wilmington, NC 28402

    WELCOME!