Press Releases

The State Archives will host a virtual program that discusses the experiences of free women of color during the Revolutionary Era. The State Archives is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.The free event is scheduled June 11, noon-1 p.m., and will commemorate Juneteenth and the America 250 NC celebration.
A hospital launched to treat African American patients soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site will host a special public program on Sat., May 30, exploring Civil War art alongside artillery demonstrations as part of its summer season kickoff. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. The site is open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., with the event taking place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fort Fisher is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
A landmark court case that reshaped voting rights across the state soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
On Saturday, May 23, Historic Edenton State Historic Site will host an ancestry research seminar that tackles the challenges of researching African American genealogy and offers tips for specialty research and finding Revolutionary War ancestors.
Longtime park ranger Jeffrey Turner has been selected as the new park superintendent at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The North Carolina Zoo Council will meet in person on Wednesday, May 13, beginning at 10 a.m.
Alamance Battleground State Historic Site will host a re-enactment of the 1771 Battle of Alamance on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The event marks the 255th anniversary of the battle, the violent conclusion of the Regulator Movement in North Carolina. The battle re-enactment begins at 11 a.m., the precise time the battle commenced exactly 255 years ago. Alamance Battleground is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announces the “Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest” will be held July 4 at the State Capitol building and grounds in Raleigh. The free all-day festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the arts, history, nature, and culture that define North Carolina's role in the nation’s story.Headlining “Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest” will be musical performances by North Carolina-based singer-songwriters Tift Merritt and Rissi Palmer.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) today announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Penning as the new director of the North Carolina Zoo.Dr. Penning recently announced his retirement as vice president of animals, science, and environment for Disney Experiences, part of the Walt Disney Company. There he oversaw animal care, conservation, and environmental initiatives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot, and at Disney parks around the world.