Press Releases

This Memorial Day is the ideal time for saluting those who have served the country, and a great time to explore the rich variety of natural and cultural resources of the state. See the great outdoors at a state park, some special offering at a history, science or art museum, or enjoy the launch of Summerfest, the North Carolina Symphony outdoor concert series, over the weekend.

The settlers in what was North Carolina’s western frontier were fed up with dishonest sheriffs, illegal fees and taxation. It was time to fight, and the resulting Battle of Alamance will be re-enacted May 19-20 at Alamance Battlefield State Historic Site. The fee is $2, under 12 are free.

A limited-edition poster that celebrates the 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipients is now available in advance of the May 23 ceremony and concert in Raleigh.

North Carolina’s Hispanic population was 932,221 in 2016. They are in engaged in communities, work in and own businesses and are a vibrant presence. A presentation, “The Hispanic Impact on North Carolina’s Economy,” will be shared by N.C. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair Henry Stewart, Thursday, May 17. The 12:30 p.m. presentation is part of the “Thursday Talk” series of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources EEO Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Six-time Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long says all roads lead to North Carolina. That will be the case on Wednesday, May 16 when Long visits Raleigh for a talk about his career and a preview of four costumes inspired by French paintings for a one-night-only event. Presented by the North Carolina Arts Council and Museum of History, the evening kicks off at 7 p.m. with a talk with Long, who grew up in Seaboard, N.C., and Bobbi Owen, author of the recently published book, “The Designs of William Ivey Long.” 

To celebrate their newly renovated library space, the North Carolina Government & Heritage Library will host an open house Friday, June 1, 4 -7 p.m. on the first floor of the Archives and History/State Library Building, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh.  Festivities will include noted historian David Cecelski speaking at 5 p.m., and a performance by the Oakwood Second Line Marching Band at 6 p.m. The North Carolina Museum of History will bring their pop-up museum, complete with Wheel of History and Guess the Artifact games. 

Ever heard of a closet tax? Were people really shorter way back when? It’s time to break down all those common myths and misconceptions about historic houses and life in the 19th century. After your May 19 interactive tour of the Duke house, you’ll be an expert on what’s not true!

Some North Carolina K-12 students who do not have home internet access will soon receive assistance through a $250,000, two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant was recently awarded to the State Library of North Carolina and the Broadband Infrastructure Office (BIO) of the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). 

Did you know the state tree is the pine? Or that the state sport is stock car racing? Come out to learn these facts and more -- meet your North Carolina state symbols at the symbol for our state, the N.C. State Capitol! Join the Capitol for a day of free family fun Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Gold mining at Reed Gold Mine was in its heyday in the 1850s. This was before the California gold rush, when gold mining in North Carolina was the place to be. In 1799, young Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in Little Meadow Creek, giving rise to America’s first gold rush. Historic interpreters at Reed Gold Mine, Saturday, April 28, will recall that time.