Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the N.C. Freedom Park Board of Directors will celebrate the opening of North Carolina Freedom Park Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.The site is the first park in North Carolina to honor the African American struggle for freedom, an experience that represents universal themes of freedom, perseverance and equality.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today that Clint Taylor has been named the next director of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. An aquarium employee for more than 18 years, Taylor currently serves as assistant aquarium director at Fort Fisher.

The life of a major figure in the African American civil rights movement from North Carolina will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.The marker commemorating Robert Franklin Williams will be unveiled during a ceremony on Aug. 26 in his hometown.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is hosting a special exhibition of Gullah Geechee-inspired art.Part of the Victoria Smalls Gullah Geechee Art Collection “Da Wada Brought Us and Kept Us,” will be on display through Aug. 30. The exhibition, presented in partnership with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and N.C. Division of Historic Sites and Properties, consists of 13 original works of art from emerging and notable artists whose styles are influenced by Gullah Geechee culture and heritage.  

This fall the North Carolina State Capitol will be hosting a series of walking tours centered on the history of protest and civil rights in downtown Raleigh.The tour, “We've Always Been Out There,” will be a short (0.5 mile) trek around downtown that discusses the lengthy history of protest and civil rights demonstrations in Raleigh. Topics will range in time from the early 19th century to the 1980s and include the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, women's suffrage, prohibition, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and Raleigh's first pride parade.

Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.“Our state parks are an unparalleled resource that preserve North Carolina’s natural beauty for future generations while making our communities even better places to visit and call home,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Brian Strong is a proven leader who has shown his commitment to making North Carolina’s state parks even stronger and I’m confident he will serve our state well.”

The sounds of one of the final Civil War battles will echo again on the anniversary of the clash that occurred in North Carolina.Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will recreate the noise eyewitnesses described as “one continuous peel of heavy thunder,” with cannon and rifle fire demonstrations Saturday, Aug. 19 with the program “Heavy Thunder."Costumed interpreters will show how artillery and infantry units functioned during battles like the one that occurred at Bentonville. Demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

The life of a pioneering figure among African American Baptists in North Carolina will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.The marker commemorating the Rev. Thomas Parker will be unveiled during a ceremony on July 29 at 11 a.m., near the First Missionary Baptist Church (336 West Hill St.) in Warsaw, N.C.

The North Carolina Zoo announces a new addition to the chimpanzee troop. On July 1, a healthy baby girl was born to chimp Genie.The animal care and veterinarian teams report mother and baby are doing well, and the baby appears healthy, active and nursing.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today a new policy directing and encouraging the use of native plants at departmental locations and at local government sites receiving grants from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The policy, effective July 1, will help DNCR meet its mission of protecting the state’s natural heritage.