Press Releases

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.

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. 

Ever heard of a closet tax? Were people really shorter way back when? It’s time to break down all those common myths and misconceptions about historic houses and life in the 19th century. After your May 19 interactive tour of the Duke house, you’ll be an expert on what’s not true!

Did you know the state tree is the pine? Or that the state sport is stock car racing? Come out to learn these facts and more -- meet your North Carolina state symbols at the symbol for our state, the N.C. State Capitol! Join the Capitol for a day of free family fun Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Gold mining at Reed Gold Mine was in its heyday in the 1850s. This was before the California gold rush, when gold mining in North Carolina was the place to be. In 1799, young Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in Little Meadow Creek, giving rise to America’s first gold rush. Historic interpreters at Reed Gold Mine, Saturday, April 28, will recall that time.

There can be a certain charm to cooking over an open fire, and participants in the Historic Cooking Class on the Old Southern Way of Cooking at President James K. Polk State Historic Site will have that experience. The workshop, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., led by trained historic chef Cheryl Henry, will reconnect participants to the lives of women of centuries past. The fee is $60.

Food, fun, special events and history will take over the town during the Kinston BBQ Fest Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to classic cars and barbecue, see some of the period physician’s tools at a free medical program at the CSS Neuse. 

Test drive a robot, create your own “slime,” build a boat out of duct tape, or help recreate North Carolina using LEGOs.

There are many ways to show appreciation and conservation of planet Earth, and a variety of “preserve the planet” experiences are planned at venues within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. There are opportunities to participate all across the state.

The North Carolina Office of State Archaeology will hold a Public Archaeology Day at the Wire Pasture Access of Lumber River State Park on Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Wire Pasture is located at 11765 US 74 Highway W, Maxton, N.C.