By ATTS 
Presidential Visits to Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina, has a rich history of presidential visits, dating back to the nation’s first president, George Washington.
George Washington
In 1791, George Washington embarked on a “Southern tour,” which included a stop in Wilmington. He stayed for two days at a “public house” near Front and Dock streets. According to an interview with historian Warren Bingham, a bar tender in Wilmington advised Washington not to drink the water.
William Howard Taft
In 1909, President William Howard Taft visited Wilmington. The town rolled out the red carpet for Taft, with a massive throng of people showing up to see him.
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, is the only president to have lived in Wilmington for any length of time. His father was pastor of First Presbyterian Church from 1874 to 1882, and young Woodrow lived in Wilmington while taking a year off before college.
Wilson took some classes at the Tileston school, taught by legendary educator Amy Bradley. A historic marker devoted to Wilson’s time here used to be on South Third Street near First Presbyterian, but it was destroyed in a hit-and-run accident in 2021.
Jimmy Carter
In 1976, Jimmy Carter made a campaign stop at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Ronald Reagan
Before becoming president, Ronald Reagan visited Wilmington as an actor in 1959 and 1960 to serve as master of ceremonies at the North Carolina Azalea Festival.
In 1980, Reagan visited Wilmington while running for president against Jimmy Carter. He gave a speech in the parking lot of the Cotton Exchange shopping center downtown.
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton never visited Wilmington while he was president, but he did come to Whiteville in Columbus County toward the end of his second term in 2000.
In recent years, Clinton has made several campaign stops in Wilmington, including stops in 2016, 2020, and 2022.
Barack Obama
In 2008, Barack Obama made a campaign stop at Trask Coliseum on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Joe Biden
In 2023, President Joe Biden spoke at the Wilmington Convention Center during a presidential visit to promote better infrastructure.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump made four trips to Wilmington, beginning in 2016 when he was running for president. He has held rallies, given speeches, and designated Wilmington as the country’s first World War II Heritage City.
And the Rest
Other presidents believed to have made brief visits to Wilmington include James Monroe, James K. Polk, Millard Fillmore, and Grover Cleveland.