Press Releases

There are many ways to celebrate the Fourth of July, but none more authentic than at a state historic site that played a role in the march to independence for the American colony. Roanoke Island, Historic Halifax, Historic Edenton and Tryon Palace all were part of the creation of this nation and will celebrate with history, fireworks, music or a reading of the Declaration of Independence. 

Dwayne Patterson, currently chief financial officer of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, has been named director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation. 

The Ku Klux Klan planned a rally near Hayes Pond in Maxon, N.C. Jan. 18, 1958, with the intent of intimidating the area’s Lumbee Indians. Locals learned of the plans and decided to confront the Klan. As part of the annual Lumbee homecoming celebration, a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated July 5 to commemorate that Robeson County encounter. The 3 p.m. marker dedication will be part of a commemorative program that starts at noon. The dedication will be at the intersection of NC Highway 130 and Hayes Pond Road.

First Lady Kristin Cooper will welcome visitors to the Governor’s Western Residence, 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville, for an open house Sunday, July 1, from 2-4 p.m.   Reservations are not needed to attend the open house. Mrs. Cooper will greet guests inside the residence. For more information, please call (828) 225-0122.    

Governor Roy Cooper today announced that poet, teacher, and community arts advocate Jaki Shelton Green will serve as North Carolina’s ninth poet laureate.   “Jaki Shelton Green brings a deep appreciation of our state’s diverse communities to her role as an ambassador of North Carolina literature,” Governor Cooper said. “Jaki’s appointment is a wonderful new chapter in North Carolina’s rich literary history."  

The North Carolina Historic Preservation Office (HPO) will conduct a comprehensive architectural survey of historic buildings, structures, and sites within the Robbinsville town limits beginning mid-July. The survey will be conducted by Lisa Buckley, architectural survey specialist in the Western Office of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Asheville.  

Irish-born James Gillespie eventually settled in Duplin County and became active in the fight for freedom from British rule. During the Revolutionary War he was a militiaman, advancing to the rank of colonel. He also served in the Provincial Congress in Halifax in 1776 that drafted the state constitution. A North Carolina Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated in his memory Friday, July 6, 11 a.m., at 609 Routledge Rd, Highway 24 East, Kenansville.

Duke Homestead celebrates North Carolina’s food history and culture July 14 at “Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina.” This free, fun family event focuses on everything that makes the state taste great with the highly competitive and extremely tasty annual Barbecue Cook-Off and Pie Competition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

North Carolina students put their knowledge and presentation skills on display at the 44th National History Day Competition at the University of Maryland, College Park June 10-14. When it was over, seven top 10 prizes or recognitions had been awarded to competitors from the Tar Heel State from among the 3,000 competitors. More than 100 students overall took home cash prizes between $250 and $1,000. The contest is the culmination of work up from the local, state to national level. 

Music and melon will accent the Old-Fashioned July 4 Ice Cream Social celebration at Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM). Red watermelon, white vanilla ice cream and bluegrass music are a formula for a fun-filled, family friendly free celebration Wednesday, July 4, 2 to 4 p.m. – or until the food runs out.