Press Releases

On Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m., Bennett Place State Historic Site will host a free lecture with local historian Ernest Dollar entitled “Jublio: Moments of Freedom, 1865.”Dollar, who serves as director of the Museums Section for the City of Raleigh, will highlight how enslaved people found and claimed freedom for themselves in the final days of the Civil War in North Carolina. This program will explore perspectives of African American men and women’s first moments of freedom as part of the site’s Black History Month programming.

James Robert Walker Jr., a prominent civil rights attorney from northeastern North Carolina, soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

The State Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2025 Eastern NC Regional Braille Challenge, a compelling event that promises to highlight the talents and achievements of blind and visually impaired students in the realm of Braille literacy.Taking place Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, this event is a unique opportunity for media professionals to capture and share inspiring stories.

Governor Josh Stein announced today that six traditional artists or groups will receive the 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards for their lifetime contributions to the state’s cultural vitality. The N.C. Heritage Award is the state’s highest honor for traditional artists.

All eyes will be on the skies Friday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) hosts the Great Backyard Bird Count. NCAFF environmental educators will inspire the community to join the count and launch newly minted bird counters on an exciting journey to earn an NC Bird Count badge. Special activities throughout the day offer an exciting time for anyone and everyone to help scientists gather information on birds in the state to support their conservation.

Pilot Mountain State Park’s Bean Shoals Access, located along the north side of the Yadkin River, has reopened following a construction project in 2024, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced.The project included building three arched culverts over Horne Creek, a scenic overlook pavilion and parking area, and a stream restoration.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 North Carolina Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state, now through April 1.Created by the General Assembly in 1961 and administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the award recognizes “notable accomplishments by North Carolina citizens” in the fields of literature, science, fine arts and public service.

The Museum of the Albemarle will host our monthly History for Lunch on Wednesday, March 5 at noon in the Gaither Auditorium. Who would have known that the sport of surfing has been taking place in North Carolina for more than 100 years? Join Benjamin Wunderly, education curator at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, for a look at North Carolina surfing as we cover the state’s role in the sport’s history and learn about some of the people and places involved.

Historic Halifax State Historic Site will mark the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic visit to the town with special programming on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The North Carolina Zoo Council will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m.