Press Releases

Pirates are taking over the north lobby of Dorton Arena during this year’s N.C. State Fair as the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources kicks off a celebration of North Carolina’s most notorious pirate, Blackbeard, for the 300th anniversary of his exploits along the N.C. coast. Check out a replica of Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, and join in on all the swashbuckling fun at our new exhibit. Just be careful not to lose your head!

It’s 1916 and boarders at Julia Wolfe’s “Old Kentucky Home” boardinghouse are visiting for health, business and leisure. You may see one of them snapping pictures with her 1916 Kodak camera. Hot topics include World War I or the upcoming World Series and a newsie will hawk the Oct. 7, 1916 newspaper on Market Street.

Immerse yourself in the Victorian era and experience a Halloween unlike any other at Duke Homestead’s “Halloween Phantasmagoria” Oct. 27, 6:30-9 p.m. Discover a thrilling adventure at Duke Homestead State Historic Site after dark. Adult tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door; $5 for children ages 12 and under.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed Oct. 2017 as North Carolina Archives Month and the State Archives of North Carolina presents two programs exploring the relevance of historical records in our lives today.  

Discover what it was like to cook over a live flame at a free open hearth cooking demonstration at the Bonner House kitchen Friday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There’s no better way to spend a beautiful fall day than by experiencing open hearth cooking at Historic Bath.

A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. What better way to start the Halloween season than with a brand-new mask! Come to Historic Bath Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and make your own mask. This is a free activity.

Thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers battled back and forth across the woods and fields of the Willis Cole Plantation March 19, 1865, during the opening phases of the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina. Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will open new trails through the area allowing visitors greater access to the site of this battle Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Summer is a perfect time for wandering back roads and discovering new adventures. Whether your summer plans include a staycation or a vacation, we’ve got you covered with uniquely North Carolina events and attractions to visit in all 100 counties.

Many opportunities to experience art, history and nature await you on Veteran's Day from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Most state historic sites are closed, but all state parks are open. 

North Carolina State Parks will hold a Special Centennial Celebration, which will include retracing the steps of a citizen march in support of saving Crowders Mountain, Sunday at Crowders Mountain State Park.