Wilmington, NC is the closest city (of considerable size) to Orton Plantation and Gardens. Wilmington has an historic downtown, plenty of hotels, shopping and close beaches such as Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Topsail Beach twenty miles north on hwy. 17.

Orton Plantation driveway 1983, American movie producer Frank Capra, Jr. searched for a location to film a scene for his movie Firestarter and chose Orton Plantation. Afterwards, Capra Jr. convinced movie producer Dino De Laurentiis to open a studio in nearby Wilmington. Laurentiis founded the De Laurentiis Entertainment Group which brought additional opportunities for movie and television filming at the Orton Plantation.

Since 1983, Orton Plantation has been featured in 23 films and 34 television movies and series. Some of the movies that feature scenes from Orton Plantation include Lolita, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Hounddog, and A Walk to Remember. Television series that have filmed scenes at Orton Plantation include One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, and Matlock

Due to a recent change in ownership, Orton Plantation Gardens closed to the public June 1, 2010 to begin renovations of the plantation home, gardens, and the necessary repair and restoration of the colonial rice fields. If you were planning to visit Orton we apologize for the inconvenience. be sure to visit the, Orton Gardens website.