Press Releases

A North Carolina Highway Historical Marker soon will recognize an African American woman who revolutionized entertainment as one of the founders of stand-up comedy in the United States.The marker commemorating the life of Loretta Mary Aiken, who was known as Jackie “Moms” Mabley, will be placed in Brevard near the site of her childhood home Friday, Oct. 20.

A new N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources policy will bring more native plants to state parks and historic sites across North Carolina, just in time for Native Plants Week 2023. To celebrate the policy and our state’s amazing native flora, First Lady Kristin Cooper is joining Audubon North Carolina and N.C. Department of Cultural and Natural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson at Jockey’s Ridge State Park at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Brief remarks will be followed by a celebratory planting and tour of the park, including the native plants garden.

A school in western North Carolina founded in the late 1880s that provided educational opportunities to underserved populations, including African American women, soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will begin hosting an artisan farmer’s market on the first and third Tuesday of each month beginning Oct. 17. Local farmers, crafters and artists, all with unique and delicious goods, will offer them for sale.Betty Williams, of Homespun by Betty, approached the site with the idea of a relaxed market away from the bustle of downtown. Vendors must pre-register and meet Department of Revenue qualifications for doing business.Event hours are 3-6 p.m., first and third Tuesday of each month.

The Museum of the Albemarle regrets to announce the postponement of Celebration of Regional Tribes, Guardians of the Land:  Discovering Indigenous Americans on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Due to unforeseen circumstances the educational program will need to be postponed until a later date.We appreciate your continued support and attendance of the Museum of the Albemarle’s educational programming.  Despite the postponement of the educational program, we look forward to seeing you at our future programs.

A North Carolina business that by 1890 was the largest herbarium in the world soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

A public memorial service to honor the life of former Somerset Place Site Manager Dorothy Spruill Redford will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct.

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission is sponsoring a free African American Music Trails Festival Saturday, Oct. 21, 12-5 p.m., in Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Rd. in Rocky Mount.

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees met Sept. 19 and 20 to consider grant applications and make awards for projects that will protect North Carolina’s land and water from the mountains to the coast. With the newly enacted state budget, over $45 million will be available immediately to fund these projects.“Our natural areas, rivers and streams are critical to the health and well-being of North Carolinians and our economy,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These grants will help protect our state’s land and wetlands for generations to come.”

M. Scott Avis, the superintendent at Lake Norman State Park, has been named the new south district superintendent of North Carolina State Parks, according to the Division of Parks and Recreation. Avis succeeds Jay Greenwood, who retired in March after 27 years with the division.