Press Releases

The power and persistence of African American musical traditions will be amplified by the well-rounded voice of renowned gospel singer Mary Williams. The educator and historian will perform in a free program Saturday, March 3, 1 p.m. at Historic Stagville State Historic Site. Her performance and historical presentation will illuminate musical practices that might have been part of survival and resistance for those enslaved at Stagville. Visitors should be prepared to participate and sing along! Come early to get a seat for this popular presentation.

A ca. 1845 china press crafted by African-American master cabinetmaker Thomas Day will be the first piece by the celebrated craftsman to be installed in the North Carolina Executive Mansion. The china press will be presented to First Lady Kristin Cooper by N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton at an event scheduled for 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the Executive Mansion.

Governor Roy Cooper has ordered a Book of Condolences to be placed at the North Carolina State Capitol for members of the public to sign in remembrance of Rev. Billy Graham. The book rests on a small table at the foot of the George Washington statue in the Capitol Rotunda, and members of the public are invited to sign the book and add brief written condolences for Rev. Graham’s family from Friday, Feb. 23 through Friday, Mar. 2. Governor Cooper will present the book to Graham’s family on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina.

The door to new adventures recently opened for students across the state. Field trips, programming, and outreach opportunities became easier for teachers in North Carolina’s Title I schools thanks to the Aquarium Scholars grant program. More than $69,000 were distributed to teachers across the state, allowing schools with higher proportions of students from low-income households to experience aquatic animals, learn about important conservation topics and get involved with other unique educational opportunities.

North Carolina institutions that hold collections relevant to North Carolina’s history and culture may be eligible to participate in a grant-funded program to digitize the materials.

The 300th anniversary of the sinking of Blackbeard’s flagship is underway with a tour of artifacts recovered from the vessel, Queen Anne’s Revenge. The traveling QAR exhibit will be on display in the new Bath Exhibit Hall (formerly the northwest wing of the old Bath High School) from Mar. 1 to May 31. The exhibit is free.

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will offer a glimpse of the harrowing days of the Anglo-Cherokee War Feb. 24-25.  The Cherokee had been allies of the British when the French and Indian War started in 1754, but tensions quickly spiraled into hostilities. The soldiers at the fort and local settlers were attacked by dozens of warriors in a confusing night time skirmish Feb. 27, 1760.

Celebrate literature during Black History Month at the State Capitol! Hear the words and experiences of African Americans echo through a structure built by African Americans for whom it was illegal to read, Saturday, Feb. 24, 1 to 3 p.m. at a free event.

A+ Schools of North Carolina announced today that it has accepted seven new schools to join the A+ Schools Network. A+ Schools of North Carolina is one of the longest-running and most successful arts-based school reform models in the country. The seven new schools, located in Charlotte, China Grove, Fayetteville, Kannapolis, Mebane, and Raleigh, will join the A+ Network following a five-day institute that will be held this July.

The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center in Kinston will present three free educational and engaging presentations, Saturday, Feb. 24, to celebrate Black History month. Learn about nurses during the Civil War, the ways freedom was experienced in North Carolina in 1865, and Col. Edward Wild’s 1st North Carolina Colored Volunteers -- who later became the 35th United States Colored Troops. The presentations will be offered at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.