The nonprofit historic neighborhood organization Residents of Old Wilmington (ROW) has a busy fall season ahead as members celebrate the heritage of their organization.

Events include a golden anniversary party in September, followed by the long-awaited return in October of the annual Back Door Kitchen Tour, which had been put on hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers for both events said they are excited about the festivities happening for the downtown organization, none more than Residents of Old Wilmington President Denis McGarry. 

“It’s been 50 years, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of Wilmington and what the Residents of Old Wilmington are doing during this time,” said McGarry, also known as “the mayor of ROW.”

McGarry and his wife are not native to the Wilmington area but were introduced to the ROW community by family members when they moved downtown.

“We lived in a city environment before we had children and then moved to the suburbs while we raised our family. As empty nesters, we wanted to be back in the city and be able to walk to restaurants and events,” McGarry said.

He quickly added that not only do they create a sense of community, but organizations like ROW promote community spirit and give back to the community. He said for that, he is proud.
Dave Hendrickson, ROW member and 2023 chairman of the ROW Back Door Kitchen Tour, echoed those statements.

“It’s very nice to see so many people come together,” he said. “My wife, Eileen, first had to drag me to a Residents of Old Wilmington [meeting], but now I am so glad she did.”

Hendrickson said the organization has focused on giving back to the community for a long time.  

Over the years, ROW has played a vital role in improving the city’s quality of life, members say.  Those efforts include providing grant funding to other organizations such as the Salvation Army Cape Fear as well the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, 814 Market St., and funding toward the restoration of the Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St., among others.

ROW has also been a consistent presence in the preservation of historical sites, usually joining with other organizations such as the Historic Wilmington Foundation and Lower Cape Fear Historical Society in its stances on a healthier and historically preserved downtown. 

The group supported policy that has benefited Wilmington such as showing staunch support for the 1898 Memorial Park as well as long-term support for downtown revitalization efforts. 

Preservation as well as historical education has been a main objective of ROW during the past five decades. The group has pushed for many historical sites to be preserved as well as contributed to restoration.

For longtime downtown resident Denny Honaker, ROW means a lot. He’s lived in downtown Wilmington for nearly three decades, most of those years in what is known as the Telfair House, a two-story home built by a longtime minister of the historical St. Stephen AME Church. 

“We have lots of great places in Wilmington ¬– there are the beaches, the neighborhoods in between – but to me, there is nothing like downtown,” said Honaker.

He added that he thinks there are a lot of old homes as well as buildings in downtown Wilmington that should be respected and cared for. When he found his house in the late 1990s, it was in near disrepair. Built in 1870, Honaker’s house needed a complete remodel – which he did, mostly himself.

“I think it’s important for our future to preserve the past,” he said. “If we do that it provides enrichment for our future generations.”

A member of Residents of Old Wilmington since 2021, Honaker said he is happy to be involved with an organization like ROW because it teaches preservation but also gives back to the community in a big way. 

McGarry and Hendrickson, as fairly new residents to downtown, want to see Wilmington keep its unique Southern charm and history while prospering long into the future. 

The two said they see ROW’s future as nothing but bright. In addition to the milestone 50th anniversary, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year – the Back Door Kitchen Tour – is returning in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic, and ROW promises a wide variety of homes for participants to see. 

McGarry said there are many reasons to want to go on the tour. 

“If you love old homes, it is a great opportunity to see a variety of architectural styles, from Queen Anne to Italianate,” he said.

He also said that for someone who might want to remodel their kitchen, the upcoming tour is an opportunity to see other kitchens in a variety of styles as well as different approaches to renovations. Participants can hear firsthand from homeowners about the renovations they had to go through. 

McGarry said buying a ticket is a way to give back to the community as all proceeds go to programs in the historic district from museums and schools to art installations and tree plantings. 

Nine historic homes, all dating to the 19th century, will be on this year’s ticket. Many of the homes still have original architecture. 

Residents of Old Wilmington’s Back Door Kitchen Tour is Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $40. More information about the tour can be found on the Residents of Old Wilmington website and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.