Press Releases

Discover camp life and the role of the Civil War enlisted man in battle at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site on Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In this program, historians in period dress will demonstrate how Union and Confederate soldiers made meals, maintained weapons and uniforms, and trained for battle. For information please call (910) 594-0789 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi.

In February 1865 drives were launched against Confederate forces from both sides of the Cape Fear River as the Union Army sought to control Wilmington. Two brigades of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) joined that effort at Forks Road south of Wilmington. A N.C. Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated to commemorate the Battle of Forks Road, June 19, 11 a.m., at the intersection of South 17th Street and Independence Boulevard in Wilmington.

In June 1840, North Carolinians celebrated the completion of a new State Capitol with a festival and feast in Downtown Raleigh.

With the support of heartfelt applause, the staff and Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport proudly broke ground for a 2,500 square foot addition to the Museum’s facility at Fort Johnston. 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington Performing Arts today announced the four North American orchestras selected to participate in the first year of the new weeklong SHIFT Festival, taking place at the Kennedy Center March 27 through April 2, 2017. Chosen from a pool of exceptional submissions from orchestras across North America, the selected orchestras include: Boulder Philharmonic (March 28), North Carolina Symphony (March 29), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (March 31), and Brooklyn-based ensemble, The Knights (April 1). Collectively, the participating orchestras will offer repertoire by nine living composers, two world premieres, and numerous D.C.-area premieres during the festival, inspired by themes of nature, Americana, creation and creativity, and choral influences.

If you enjoy honey and are interested in beekeeping, then visit Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace, Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration of North Carolina's 19th century farm heritage during the "Saturday on the Farm" free program will examine beekeeping and gardening. You'll also enjoy seeing vintage farm equipment.

The end of the Civil War was not the end of the story. Historic Stagville will commemorate the end of the Civil War with “Freedom 150” May 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event will examine the effect of the end of the Civil War on the African American population, the rise of the black church and the creation of the sharecropping system.

In an event now known as the Greensboro Massacre, five people were killed and 11 injured in a confrontation between the Ku Klux Klan and the Communist Workers Party. A N.C. Highway Historical Marker to commemorate the event will be dedicated May 24 at 4:15 p.m., at New Light Baptist Church, 1105 Willow Rd. After the unveiling at the intersection of McConnell Road at Willow Road there will be a reception at the church. For additional information please call (919) 807-7290.

The State Capitol is hosting a birthday party June 13 that's been 175 years in the making! Free family friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include local musicians, military re-enactors, historic demonstrations, hands-on children's activities and more fun activities inside the Capitol and on Capitol Square. Of course there will be birthday cake. Please call (919) 733-4994 for more information.  

The halls of the North Carolina History Center in historic downtown New Bern will echo with the sounds of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 21.