Press Releases

October Events to Celebrate Durham Native Son, Artist and Former NFL Player Ernie Barnes

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, in partnership with the Ernie Barnes Family Trust, Museum of Durham History, Empower Dance Studio, The Repertory Dance Company at NCCU and Thomas DeFrantz + SLIPPAGE, will celebrate the life and legacy of North Carolina artist Ernie Barnes (1938-2009) with events exploring and celebrating his famous painting, “The Sugar Shack,” Oct. 6 and 11 in Durham.

N.C. Highway Historical Marker to Honor Kay Kyser

 A king of the swing era of big band music, Kay Kyser, will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. in his hometown. Kyser was born in Rocky Mount and went on to become perhaps the best-known bandleader in America. The marker dedication will be at First United Methodist Church Annex, 273 Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, N.C. It will be. followed by a musical performance at the Imperial Centre at 270 Gay St. in Rocky Mount.

Horne Creek Historical Farm Cornshucking Frolic

The heritage demonstrations and activities will capture daily life on a farm in the 1900s. The Hauser family lived here and such important skills as spinning, quilting, cornshuck doll making, basket weaving, and cornshucking will be demonstrated. Blacksmithing, tobacco curing, crosscut sawing and plowing will be reviewed. Apple butter and sorghum syrup demonstrations, fried pie demonstrations and a grist mill demonstration are in store.

Bobby Hicks, Harris Brothers and Kruger Brothers Headline North Carolina Stage at Wide Open Bluegrass in Downtown Raleigh

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Arts Council have teamed up to present the North Carolina Stage at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 in downtown Raleigh.

State Historic Preservation Office Requests Information on Storm Damaged Historic Structures

The North Carolina Historic Preservation Office has set up an online form for local governments and citizens to report damage to historic properties from wind and flooding associated with Hurricane Florence.

Bennett Place Showcases School of the Soldier

How did civilians learn the art of war? Well, not in a classroom. Many long and tedious hours turned green recruits into soldiers. Bennett Place State Historic Site will offer a “School of the Soldier,” program Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, that illustrates the transition.   

Frontier Life Recreated at Fort Dobbs

The demands of life for soldiers and civilians in the 1750s will be on view at the “Frontier Life Recreated” program at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Saturday, Sept. 29. Re-enactors dressed as soldiers and settlers will demonstrate what daily life was like at the French and Indian War site 260 years ago.

Poet Laureate Ceremony for Jaki Shelton Green Rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence

The North Carolina Poet Laureate Ceremony, scheduled for Wed., Sept. 19 in Raleigh, has been postponed due to the uncertainty of Hurricane Florence and its aftermath.

Bentonville Battlefield Presents “Two Weeks of Fury”

A limited number of tickets remain for “Two Weeks of Fury: A Carolina’s Campaign Tour and Symposium.” Hosted by the Friends of Bentonville, the event takes place Sept. 28-29 at various sites in eastern North Carolina. It will include scholarly presentations and battlefield tours.

State Capitol Foundation Hosts Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser Friday, Oct. 12

This October, come and join the State Capitol Foundation for their annual Oyster Roast fundraiser, held at the State Capitol Friday, Oct. 12 from 7-11 p.m.