Press Releases

Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1-5 p.m., 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville. Reservations are not needed to attend the open house. Guests are invited to tour the residence, which has been decorated for the season. For more information, please call (828) 225-0122.  

Get into the authentic feel of the holidays this year with a visit to a state historic site, museum, state park or aquarium. Enjoy colonial harpsichord music at Historic Bath, Jonkonnu dancing at Historic Stagville, or a hearty country meal at Horne Creek Historical Farm.

Bells will toll in unison across North Carolina and throughout the world at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 to commemorate the centennial of Armistice Day. Governor Roy Cooper has officially proclaimed Nov. 11, 2018 as the centennial of the end of World War I, calling on citizens and organizations across the state to toll bells at 11 a.m. to remember those who served. 

Join the State Capitol and Gov. Roy Cooper for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 6. The festivities begin on Capitol Square at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music by the Kaiser Middle School Eighth Grade Concert Band. At 5:30 p.m. the Raleigh Concert Band will perform. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds at 6:15 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street.

Experience some of the great things about North Carolina this Veterans Day at attractions within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Most state historic sites are closed but all state parks are open, and of course are free. Free or discounted admission is available at most venues that normally charge an admission fee, and there will be family friendly activities all across the state.EastN.C. Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Open to all. Gift shop will offer military discount of 20 percent Nov. 10-12. Free.

North Carolina’s Executive Mansion–the “people’s house”–will open its historic doors once again for the beloved annual Holiday Open House from Thursday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 9.  Visitors are invited to tour the home, take in the decorations, and enjoy seasonal musical entertainment by local performing groups. The first floor of the Mansion will be decorated with North Carolina-grown Christmas trees, floral and mixed evergreen arrangements, and ornate mantle displays. 

The Oxford American Magazine’s 20th annual Southern Music Issue celebrates the musical legacy of North Carolina and features an artistic portrait of North Carolina native Nina Simone, the High Priestess of Soul, on the cover.Simone, born and raised in Tryon, N.C., is celebrated as an icon of American music in the 160-page issue, along with Earl Scruggs, Elizabeth Cotten, John Coltrane, 9th Wonder, and James Taylor.

William Gould was a plasterer in Wilmington who escaped from slavery with seven other men via the Cape Fear River. They were picked up by the USS Cambridge and joined the Union Navy. Gould kept a journal of his experiences for three years, producing the only known account by a sailor who was formerly a slave. He will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker Nov. 13 at 10 a.m., dedication at the corner of 5th and Market Streets.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will join Kids in Parks, Edgecombe County and the Town of Tarboro Thursday, Nov. 1 to celebrate the opening of North Carolina’s 100th “Kids in Parks” TRACK Trail at Indian Lake in Tarboro.  The grand opening, including a ribbon cutting and guided hike, will be held at 11 a.m., Nov. 1 at Indian Lake Sports Complex, 3300 Western Blvd, Tarboro. The public is invited to attend. 

The North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will celebrate 60 years of service to North Carolinians during a public Open House Celebration Thursday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1841 Capital Blvd., Raleigh. The event will feature live music and readings by local authors.  This event was rescheduled from its original date in September due to Hurricane Florence.