Press Releases

In 1948 polio rapidly spread through North Carolina causing 147 deaths with 2,517 cases recorded. The Guilford County outbreak was the highest per capita both in the state and the nation. Citizens rallied and built a hospital there in just 95 days after fundraising began. After the epidemic subsided, the facility was used as a jail for civil rights protestors in 1963. The unique evolution and roles of the facility will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m.

While the traditional school year is ending for teachers and students across the state, it is never too early for educators to think of exciting ways to engage their students next year. The North Carolina Aquariums team wants to help by making it easier to access marine education and connect young people to nature and the ocean. 

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton today announced more than $2 million in 2019-20 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants for local N.C. libraries at an event held at UNC-Wilmington’s Randall Library. 

See the magic and skill as fabric, tools or toys take shape at the “Saturday on the Farm” program June 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Governor Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site. The free event will showcase blacksmithing, woodworking and spinning talents and will celebrate 19th century North Carolina farm life. Music will be performed by the Waterbound Dulcimers in the morning.

An example that the pen is mightier than the sword is journalist Louis Austin, who advocated for and advanced social justice and civil rights as publisher of the “Carolina Times” newspaper in Durham. The Halifax County native will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical marker to be dedicated Friday, June 14, 9 a.m. at 122 SE Railroad St., Enfield.

The North Carolina Historical Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Wed., June 5 in room 308 of the Archives and History Building, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.The commission plans to receive an update on North Carolina Central University’s demolition of houses in the Stokesdale Register Historic District and review a list of items recommended to be added to or removed from the collections of the State History Museums and State Archives. They will also hear an update on a planned renovation and expansion of the North Carolina Museum of History. 

A special weekend celebrating the talent, legacy, and spirit of legendary North Carolina musician Nina Simone is scheduled Aug. 16-18 in collaboration with the North Carolina Museum of Art, Come Hear NC, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Meet the rising generation of North Carolina’s traditional artists in a collection of documentary portraits in the exhibition "New Faces of Tradition: Documenting North Carolina’s Young Artists," May 28 to June 30 at the Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University.

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton announces the appointment of Angela Thorpe as the director of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission (AAHC). Thorpe has served as acting director since September 2018.

As North Carolina continues to celebrate 2019 as the Year of Music, a first-time collaboration with the Americana Music Association and the state will be announced Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Executive Mansion.