Press Releases

 A king of the swing era of big band music, Kay Kyser, will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. in his hometown. Kyser was born in Rocky Mount and went on to become perhaps the best-known bandleader in America. The marker dedication will be at First United Methodist Church Annex, 273 Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, N.C. It will be. followed by a musical performance at the Imperial Centre at 270 Gay St. in Rocky Mount.

Bring your toe-tappin’ shoes and be ready to dance at the 27th Annual Cornshucking Frolic at Horne Creek Living Historical Farm. Music, food, children’s games and crafts will make for a fun-filled day to remember Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a great way to celebrate fall in the mountains.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Arts Council have teamed up to present the North Carolina Stage at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 in downtown Raleigh.

The North Carolina Historic Preservation Office has set up an online form for local governments and citizens to report damage to historic properties from wind and flooding a

How did civilians learn the art of war? Well, not in a classroom. Many long and tedious hours turned green recruits into soldiers. Bennett Place State Historic Site will offer a “School of the Soldier,” program Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, that illustrates the transition.   

The demands of life for soldiers and civilians in the 1750s will be on view at the “Frontier Life Recreated” program at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Saturday, Sept. 29. Re-enactors dressed as soldiers and settlers will demonstrate what daily life was like at the French and Indian War site 260 years ago.

The North Carolina Poet Laureate Ceremony, scheduled for Wed., Sept. 19 in Raleigh, has been postponed due to the uncertainty of Hurricane Florence and its aftermath.

This October, come and join the State Capitol Foundation for their annual Oyster Roast fundraiser, held at the State Capitol Friday, Oct. 12 from 7-11 p.m. 
 

The State Capitol is seeking volunteers interested in training as Capitol docents. Volunteers are the public face of the Capitol and are relied upon for tours, leading both adult and children’s groups. Volunteers also assist with special programming. The Capitol will hold a volunteer docent training and information session, Monday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. Docents will be trained to give tours of the 1840 Capitol and will learn much about local and state history.