Burnett-Eaton Museum celebrates Black History

Did you know Wilmington has a museum dedicated to African American history? It's called the Burnett Eaton Museum. It is named after two doctors who helped integrate Wilmington's hospital.

Doctor Burnett could not practice medicine in Wilmington's James Walker Hospital in the early part of the last century -- so he started a practice out of his house. That house is on 7th street and it now houses the Burnett Eaton Museum.

"We felt that the museum would serve as an instrumental tool in providing creative art, giving students and those who are interested in research and writing and bringing out the creative abilities in the community," says founder Islah Speller.

Doctor Eaton was also instrumental in convincing Doctor Martin Luther King to visit Wilmington in 1968. Unfortunately, Doctor King was assassinated just days before the trip.