Cape Fear Museum of History and Science has received a coveted designation. The museum, 814 Market St. in Wilmington, is now one of only seven organizations in the state to obtain a Smithsonian affiliation.

The affiliate program establishes long-term relationships with museums, education institutions and cultural organizations to facilitate the loan of Smithsonian artifacts and traveling exhibitions, as well as develop innovative educational collaborations locally and nationally, museum officials said in a news release. 

Cape Fear Museum joins more than 200 affiliated organizations across almost every state, as well as in Puerto Rico and Panama, the release stated.

“We are excited and honored to begin this new affiliate relationship,” Sheryl Kingery Mays, Cape Fear Museum director, said in a release. “We look forward to partnering with Smithsonian Affiliations to expand and strengthen our ongoing education and exhibition programs and gain greater access to Smithsonian’s resources and artifacts so we may better serve county residents, especially those living in our surrounding neighborhoods.”