Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced today that Denise Young has been named the next director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Young is currently the executive director of the Bell Museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the state’s official natural history museum and planetarium. She replaces Eric Dorfman, who left the museum in December; Young will join the museum in June.

In October 1772, Philip Alston purchased 4,000 acres of land on the bend of the Deep River. Not long after the purchase, he had a large two-story wood frame house built on a rise in the land overlooking the river. This house would become the site of an iconic battle, of which you can still see evidence today. Alston’s house became known as the House in the Horseshoe and will be commemorating 250 years of historic legacy March 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 North Carolina Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state, now through April 30. 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 N.C. Division of State Parks and Recreation will hold a March 10 ribbon-cutting event at Lake James State Park to celebrate the park’s new state-of-the-art visitor center.      Date: Friday, March 10      Time: 1 p.m.      Location: Lake James State Park, Nebo, N.C., Visitor Center at Paddy’s Creek Access

Two farms, two families, and a year on the land. Young readers can get a taste of farm life in the North Carolina Piedmont through “Bountiful Red Acres,” a new book from the state Office of Archives and History and the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, both part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The Museum of the Albemarle will host our monthly History for Lunch on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 12 p.m. in the Gaither Auditorium.  Tad Howington, curator of the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, will weave the fascinating tale of the Roanoke River Lights with the colorful history of Plymouth and the surrounding region.  Sitting along the shore of the Roanoke River, Plymouth was once a bustling port town where schooners, steamboats, and barges frequented its customs house.  The river connected the region to the broader world, and the beacon of

Trees are a great way to celebrate a birthday, holiday, anniversary, new birth, graduation, or as a means of employee recognition. In the words of the Arbor Day Foundation, "trees planted for you are an act of optimism and kindness, a labor of love, and a commitment to stewardship." They're also a gift that grows and keeps on giving. Horne Creek Farm will celebrate Arbor Day by selling fruit trees on March 18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville March 18, with a day of historic demonstrations, activities, and informative presentations. Visitors can learn more about not only the battle, but also what life was like for soldiers and civilians during the Civil War. The event is free to attend and runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The far-reaching and impactful accomplishments and contributions of women often have been often overlooked in North Carolina and the nation. During Women’s History Month in March agencies within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will highlight some of the significant achievements of North Carolina Women through programs and exhibits.East

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) awarded $15 million in grants this week for 17 projects that will help protect North Carolina’s communities and natural resources from flooding, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “Reducing flood risk is critical for the health of our families and our economy,” Cooper said. “These grants will benefit local communities by enhancing water quality, providing open space for North Carolinians, protecting our natural resources, and keeping our communities safe.”