Press Releases

History buffs, community leaders and preservationists will aid in the preservation of Civil War sites in North Carolina this spring. Historic Edenton holds its Park Day Saturday, March 30. Three other venues will have Park Day events Saturday, April 6 and one will be held Saturday, April 13.

The discovery of a 17-pound gold nugget by Conrad Reed in 1799 is America’s first documented gold discovery. His discovery and his father John’s development of the mine are celebrated. Little notice is given to his mother, Sarah Kiser Reed, or other women during the gold rush period.

The world of computer games was an uninviting one for Phaedra Boinodiris and her sister, so they invented womengamers.com to create a space that spoke to and reflected them.

Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author of the popular “Outlander” book series, will visit two N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources attractions for ticketed events April 26-28.
 

Before the other colonies followed suit in July, the North Carolina Provincial Congress issued the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, voting to separate from the British Crown. The approaching Halifax Resolves Day observance at Historic Halifax, April 12, will begin a free two-day celebration to commemorate North Carolina's stand as the first colony to call for independence!  

Two months before ratification of the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, Lillian Exum Clement was nominated by Buncombe County democrats to serve in the State House. She overwhelmingly defeated two male opponents in the primary and took her seat Jan. 5, 1921.

Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Southport is currently open to visitors, with regular events and programming scheduled to resume in the spring.

Programs celebrating women’s history will be offered at venues of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in March. This month is the launch of the department’s celebration of women’s fight for suffrage and equality, with the theme, “She Changed the World.” The commemoration from March 2019 to November 2020 will expand on contributions of North Carolina women to the state and nation.

A historic interpreter in period clothing can come to groups in the region during Black History Month to discuss the utensils used in the daily life of plantation residents in 1843. 

Most frequently seen images of African Americans from pre-Civil War times show them barefoot and poorly clothed. Collector Craig James has striking images of elegant and proud African Americans from that period. He will offer “A New Look at Early African American Images,” Thursday, Feb. 21 at 12:30 p.m., in the Archives & History/State Library Building,109 E. Jones St., Raleigh.