North Carolina law in the 1750s required able-bodied men ages 16-60 to serve in the colony’s militia. They gathered for military training several times a year and could be called away at any time, leaving their homes and businesses to defend the colony. Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will feature living history interpreters recreating an 18th century militia muster June 30-July 1.
Press Releases
More than 900 people were freed at Stagville Plantation, one of the state’s largest, at the end of the Civil War in 1865. Visit Historic Stagville Saturday, June 9, noon to 5 p.m., to discover the story of the end of slavery in North Carolina. The Juneteenth celebration will include performances, historic cooking demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages.
From wood burning pits to high tech grills with ceramic briquettes, North Carolina is in love with barbecue. Historic Bath will host an exhibit June 1 to Aug. 31, which examines barbecue from the Caribbean in the 1500s up to today. The free exhibit debunks some common myths, such as “more is better,” and whether the cooked meat needs to “rest.”
Summer is just around the corner, flowers and trees are blooming, and cool breezes off Lake Phelps stave off the stifling heat. The eighth annual Days Gone By living history event at Somerset Place State Historic Site presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Two trails at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Avery, Watauga, and Caldwell counties are closed to visitors due to damage sustained from heavy rains May 17-20, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The park received 11 inches of rain in four days and more rain is in the forecast throughout the coming week.
The settlers in what was North Carolina’s western frontier were fed up with dishonest sheriffs, illegal fees and taxation. It was time to fight, and the resulting Battle of Alamance will be re-enacted May 19-20 at Alamance Battlefield State Historic Site. The fee is $2, under 12 are free.
A limited-edition poster that celebrates the 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipients is now available in advance of the May 23 ceremony and concert in Raleigh.
North Carolina’s Hispanic population was 932,221 in 2016. They are in engaged in communities, work in and own businesses and are a vibrant presence. A presentation, “The Hispanic Impact on North Carolina’s Economy,” will be shared by N.C. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair Henry Stewart, Thursday, May 17. The 12:30 p.m. presentation is part of the “Thursday Talk” series of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources EEO Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Six-time Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long says all roads lead to North Carolina. That will be the case on Wednesday, May 16 when Long visits Raleigh for a talk about his career and a preview of four costumes inspired by French paintings for a one-night-only event. Presented by the North Carolina Arts Council and Museum of History, the evening kicks off at 7 p.m. with a talk with Long, who grew up in Seaboard, N.C., and Bobbi Owen, author of the recently published book, “The Designs of William Ivey Long.”
To celebrate their newly renovated library space, the North Carolina Government & Heritage Library will host an open house Friday, June 1, 4 -7 p.m. on the first floor of the Archives and History/State Library Building, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh.
Festivities will include noted historian David Cecelski speaking at 5 p.m., and a performance by the Oakwood Second Line Marching Band at 6 p.m. The North Carolina Museum of History will bring their pop-up museum, complete with Wheel of History and Guess the Artifact games.