Press Releases

The legacies of the U.S. slave trade have extended well into present. The N.C. African American Heritage Commission seeks to explore this present-day legacy by looking to the past through its newest initiative, “Africa to Carolina.” The first in a series of public meetings will be Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. in Edenton at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse.

African American history in North Carolina involves struggle, resistance, songs and celebrations. All of this will be showcased at various programs at venues of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. There are many free, family friendly events available all across the state.

Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969. Armstrong’s first step onto the lunar surface, and now-famous exclamation “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” was broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience. Learn more about the history of human endeavors to reach the Moon, including the Apollo landings, present-day orbiters, and future projects that will help prepare for a possible lunar colony, when the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Astronomy Days, Saturday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27, noon–5 p.m. 

Winter storms can mean power outages. One great way to weather the storms is with your very own quilt. Want to combat the cold winter days and nights? The Aycock Birthplace Quilting Workshop is for you. Over six consecutive Saturdays, Jan. 26 through March 2, the workshop will teach modern techniques for this time-honored craft. The fee is $35 plus tax. More information will be emailed/mailed upon registration. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

First Day Hikes offered at all of North Carolina’s state parks on New Year’s Day brought a record 3,859 people to join 57 guided hikes across the state. Mild, dry weather made the hikes more attractive than those in 2018, which were marred by rain and winter weather.  

North Carolina’s New Year tradition of family adventure, exercise and reconnection with nature continues in 2019 with First Day Hikes throughout the state parks system on Jan. 1.

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission will co-host an information session on its N.C. Green Book Project, Jan. 9, 6-7 p.m. at the Greensboro History Museum Auditorium, 130 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 

Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1-5 p.m., 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville.

Get into the authentic feel of the holidays this year with a visit to a state historic site, museum, state park or aquarium. Enjoy colonial harpsichord music at Historic Bath, Jonkonnu dancing at Historic Stagville, or a hearty country meal at Horne Creek Historical Farm.

Join the State Capitol and Gov. Roy Cooper for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 6. The festivities begin on Capitol Square at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music by the Kaiser Middle School Eighth Grade Concert Band. At 5:30 p.m. the Raleigh Concert Band will perform.