Press Releases

History buffs, community leaders and preservationists will aid in the preservation of Civil War sites in North Carolina Saturday, April 7, as part of Park Day. Thousands of volunteers across the country participate in the Civil War Trust organized event, and this year will be the largest ever involving more than 155 historic sites in 32 states. Three of North Carolina’s Civil War state historic sites will participate in the national event.

North Carolina’s Executive Mansion–the “people’s house”–will open its historic doors and beautiful gardens to the public for free tours this spring. School children, adults, civic groups and families are invited to experience the 127-year old mansion for guided tours conducted by volunteer docents. The Executive Mansion boasts an outstanding collection of decorative arts while the beautiful grounds feature extensive flower and vegetable gardens and modern environmental practices.

Another step to preserve history and protect North Carolina’s past is taken with grant awards totaling $480,000 to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources by the Cannon Charitable Interests. Alamance Battleground in Burlington will receive $80,000, Roanoke Island in Dare County will receive $200,000 and Historic Bath will receive $200,000.

The North Carolina Historical Commission Confederate Monuments Study Committee will meet via conference call Thursday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m.  

Spring cleaning often means letting go of those things you really don’t use anymore, and the Aycock Birthplace Community Yard Sale could be the answer to what to do with your discards. The Aycock yard sale Saturday, April 14, 7 a.m. to noon, is the perfect place to bring those dishes, artwork and whatnots that are sitting in a garage or closet. The booth fee for a table is $5. Contact the site at (919) 252-5581 or aycock@ncdcr.gov to reserve a space.

The North Carolina Government & Heritage Library is moving to a new location in April. The library will be closed to the public April 9-28 while the library collection is moved to its new space.  The public space of the library will reopen on Monday, April 30 on the first floor of the Archives and History/State Library Building, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh. 

Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. Hop into the season and enjoy an event at a state historic site, state park, aquarium or the zoo. These destinations within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources have something for everyone, from train rides or breakfast with the Easter Bunny to hunting sea turtle eggs, fun times await the family. East

John Privette, a veteran park ranger, has been promoted to superintendent of Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. He succeeds Superintendent J.R. Murr, who accepted a position with the N.C. Forest Service. A superintendent manages operations and administration at a state park or state recreation area with wide-ranging responsibilities for staffing, training, law enforcement, visitor services, natural resource protection and environmental education.

Visit Historic Stagville Saturday, April 7, for a birthday celebration for American Girl doll Addy Walker! Addy is based in part on the story of a real person from Stagville in Durham. The site will celebrate with traditional birthday party foods and hands-on activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per child. plenty of colorful cupcakes, make your own ice cream, and enjoy plenty of snacks. The many hands-on activities will include making cloth dolls and cowrie shell necklaces, dressing up in historic children’s clothing and trying popular hairstyles from Addy’s day.

Surveyor, soldier, statesman, governor – Richard Caswell served North Carolina in many capacities and the Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site reopens April 7 with a celebration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Damage from Hurricane Matthew led the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to temporarily close the Vernon Avenue site in October 2016.