Hannah Block Historic USO- Community Arts Center

Do you have your tickets yet?
Celebrate the spirit of the WWII home front with a wonderful cast, lively entertainment, and a chance to dance the night away!

📅 November 6, 2026
📍 Hannah Block Historic USO / Community Arts Center
🎟️ Tickets are available now!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Thank You StarNews and John Staton for this wonderful article about the building and its 85th anniversary!

Once almost torn down, historic Wilmington building marks milestone
John Staton- Wilmington StarNews - Oct. 20, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET
This year, one of the most heavily used buildings in downtown Wilmington celebrates a
significant anniversary — even more significant when you consider how close the building
came to being torn down. The Hannah Block Historic USO, also known as the Community Arts Center, a handsome, yellow-painted structure at the corner of Second and Orange streets downtown, turns 85 in 2026.

It was built in 1941 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to serve as a USO, according to a
history provided by Thalian Association Community Theatre, which manages the building for
its owner, the city of Wilmington. At the height of World War II as many as 35,000 service members would visit the facility each week for dances, entertainment, meet-ups, meals and more.

According to the Thalians, and it is one of only three surviving USO buildings in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After World War II ended in 1946 the city of Wilmington bought the property and renamed it
The Community Center, according to a history of the building written by Ev Smith of the old
Community Arts Center Accord, which sought to preserve it in the 1990s and 2000s.
The building hosted the first N.C. Azalea Festival in 1948 and was used for a variety of
purposes (some Wilmington old-timers recall playing basketball there), including arts classes.

It was renamed the Community Arts Center in 1973 and was used by theater groups for
rehearsal space, with a pottery studio built in the basement and art, music and dance classes
taught there as well. By the 1990s the building was beginning to show its age. After funding
struggles, and the giving of serious consideration to tearing the building down, the city of
Wilmington conducted a thorough, $2 million renovation in 2007. Redubbed the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, it reopened in 2008. During renovations, according to a story in the Star News, old foundations from previous
structures were discovered, as were the remains of an old cistern that likely dated to the 19th
century.
Renovations turned the facility and lobby into a USO museum maintained by the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition. The piano played for servicemen during World
War II by the building& and namesake, Hannah Block, is still there in a studio named for former Wilmington resident (and Tony-winning actress) Linda Lavin.

On Dec. 5, the Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center will celebrate its 85th anniversary
with a World War II-era concert by the Wilmington Big Band. Doors at 6:30 p.m. (dessert
reception sponsored by Apple Annie’s Bake Shop and One Belle Bakery), concert at 7:30
p.m. Tickets are $15, available at WilmingtonCommunityArts.org.

John Staton is the arts and culture reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at
[email protected].

This 1941 building at Second and Orange streets in Wilmington has hosted everything from military dances to arts classes. See link below ⬇️

📸 John Staton/STARNEWS

This weekend on the 2nd Street Stage!

Help us celebrate 85 incredible years of history, music, community, and memories at the Hannah Block Historic USO!

Join us for a special evening featuring the Wilmington Big Band as we celebrate this incredible milestone and honor the legacy of this historic building.

Want to be the first to hear about upcoming events, shows, classes, exhibitions, special programs, and everything happening at the USO? We’d love to keep you in the loop!

Join our mailing list and get the latest news, event announcements, ticket information, and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Whether you’re a longtime friend of the USO or discovering us for the first time, there’s always something happening at the big yellow building on the corner of Orange & 2nd! 💛

📩 Sign up today and stay connected!

🎉 TICKETS ARE ON SALE! 🎉

Get ready for a night filled with live entertainment, dancing, music, and plenty of vintage USO spirit at the Hannah Block Historic USO.

Whether you’re a history lover, a fan of live performances, or just looking for a fun night out, this is an evening you won’t want to miss!
Grab your friends, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to dance the night away, USO-style!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Get yours before they’re gone!

We only have 3 little trees left who need someone to decorate them for Lighting the Way! Who is feeling crafty and wants to get a jump on the holiday spirit?! Come by the front desk to grab one today!

WAAS Drama Club Presents: Something Rotten, Jr here on the 2nd Street Stage!

Friday, October 2nd at 7pm
Saturday, October 3rd at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, October 4th at 2pm
Location: Hannah Block Community Arts Center
Admission is FREE!! - Donations to the WAAS Drama Club are greatly appreciated!

The 11th Annual ARTFall Show & sale winners!

1st - Karissa Uhrain - Burn Out
2nd - Taro Takizawa - Evenfall
3rd - Terry T.Schwartz - Inner Surprise 

Honorable Mention:
Andrea Lauren - Porch Song
Cathryn O’Donnell - No Apologies
Dana M. Davis - Searching Mika

People’s Choice - Sandy Nelson - Laundry Day

With only one day left of ARTFall, we are happy to announce this year’s Peoples Choice! Congratulations Sandy Nelson for Laundry Day!