Fort Fisher Visitor Center undergoing finishing touches

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A concept that was just an idea in 2009 is coming to fruition more than a decade later.

Construction of Fort Fisher’s new visitor center is making progress.

The 18-month long project began in October 2022 and has a price tag of nearly $25 million.

The newly imagined visitor center will allow for more space to display the artifacts found in Fort Fisher over the years.

Fort Fisher Historic Site Manager Jim Steele said this new addition should draw more visitors looking to explore the site.

“What they wanted from Fort Fisher was more Fort Fisher and so, I think that’s what we’re getting here,” Steele said.

Steele is hopeful to hold a ribbon cutting for the visitor center and underwater archaeology center by Labor Day.