This summer, the North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites will initiate an 8-week pilot program to offer Sunday hours across 13 — roughly half — of its sites. Currently, most sites operate Tuesday-Saturday. N.C. Historic Sites is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.During this time-limited, exploratory program, the selected sites will operate from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, June 14-Aug. 2. The pilot program was mandated by the 2025 "mini budget" bill passed by the N.C. General Assembly in the summer of 2025.
Press Releases
In partnership with the Town of Sedalia and Joyemovement, the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum will host the fourth annual Black Heritage Day on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event is held each year in honor of Dr. Brown’s birthday to celebrate her legacy through music, art, and community. The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher officially broke ground today on a major renovation and expansion that will make it the largest aquarium in North Carolina. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina Aquariums inspire care and conservation of nature by connecting more than a million visitors to the aquatic world each year.
“The din of battle roared like one continuous peel of heavy thunder,” wrote one eyewitness to the 1865 battle of Bentonville. On Saturday, June 13, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will recreate a small percentage of that noise during its “Heavy Thunder: Summer Artillery and Infantry Program.” The free program runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bentonville Battlefield is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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.