Press Releases

The 1771 War of Regulation was a turbulent time and evidence of the struggle survives at Alamance Battleground State Historic site. Descendants of participants of that battle - Regulators, Tryon's militia and the Allen family - will exchange stories and share genealogy research Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at a "Descendants Gathering" at the site. The public is invited to the free event. Lovers of the books and television series "Outlander" may find it most useful.

The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources is pleased to announce that 15 individual properties and districts across the state have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The following properties were reviewed by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee and were subsequently approved by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer and forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register.

What do you get when you mix a group of pirates, a carefree surfer, a mermaid and a talking Octopus?  Why Rainbow Puppet Productions “A Pirate Party,” of course!  The show is a happy salute to beach movies of the 1960’s and will be held in the Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park August 5, 6, 7 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased in advance at ticket sales at Roanoke Island Festival Park or the day of the event. Ages 5 and under are free. 

Children to learn about 18th century gardening Aug. 8 Children ages 3-5 can explore the lush Tryon Palace Kitchen Garden at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, to discover how the royal governor’s food was grown in the 18th century and plant a seed of their own to bring home.Tryon’s Tots is designed for individual families. Space is limited to 20 children. Extra openings will be filled the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.All Tryon’s Tots programs begin at the North Carolina History Center.

There was a time when thousands of acres of Durham County were covered with tobacco. On a hot July day laborers would follow mules pulling wooden sleds where armfuls of the harvested sticky green leaves were tossed. To see tobacco growing in Durham today, you may have to visit Duke Homestead State Historic Site, home to the Dukes of Durham, founders of the American Tobacco Company.

The sights and sounds of the Civil War will come to life during Tryon Palace's Civil War Living History Weekend held at the New Bern Academy Museum Aug. 15-16.

Come play in a medium that's as old as dirt during "Play in the Clay Fun Day" Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See how the Pee Dee Culture utilized the clay around them, try your hand at making a small piece of pottery, and help us daub the East Lodge walls."What a fun excuse to get your hands a little dirty," says Site Manager Rich Thompson, "while learning about a native culture."

Tomahawk throwing, cannon firing and militia camps are part of the excitement at the 234th annual re-enactment of the Battle at the House in the Horseshoe Aug. 1-2. The House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site will offer other Revolutionary War-era activities including re-enactment of the fight between Philip Alston and David Fanning. The Saturday event will be 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the Sunday program will be 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. There is a $5 fee for parking.

The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office (HPO) is pleased to announce support to 11 historic preservation projects in nine counties around the state with awards of $95,050 in federal grants for 2015.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum plans to celebrate the anniversary of the United States Coast Guard with a number of events planned for July 31 and August 1.  Visitors will be able to see a fully restored Monomoy surfboat, view an extensive collection of Coast Guard model boats, and tour a modern day 47-foot Motor Lifeboat used by the United States Coast Guard today.