Press Releases

RALEIGH, N.C. — Did you know that over 300 businesses in North Carolina were listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book? In fact, there were 327.

Life on the farm in 1870 was not about stylish clothing. No nearby mall or hip boutique offered trendy fashions. Aycock Birthplace and members of the Tarheel Civilians will examine fiber and fixings at the “Spinning a Yarn” program Saturday, May 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in a celebration of creating textiles and clothing. Bring a snack or picnic lunch and learn of bygone days. This program will feature a sheep shearing demonstration from 10 a.m.-noon and living history demonstrations and children’s crafts throughout the day.

The North Carolina Zoo is doing its part to help Bring Summer Back in North Carolina! The North Carolina Departments of Health and Human Services and Natural and Cultural Resources are partnering with StarMed Healthcare and the Randolph County Health Department to host a vaccine clinic for anyone 12 and older at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro on May 20 through May 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The State Capitol will open to the public May 17, with some new procedures in place to help ensure the safety of staff and visitors, including:      · Limiting visitation      · Installing hand sanitizer stations and increasing the frequency of cleaning high touch public areas      · Installing protective barriers at information desks      · Our gift shop will be open

Alamance Battleground State Historic Site will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the 1771 Battle of Alamance with virtual programs and a special illumination Saturday, May 15. Three hundred luminaries will mark the positions of the battlefield combatants, with one luminary representing 10 people who participated in the battle. The memorial in light will occur 7-10 p.m.

Crystal Lloyd, a nine-year employee of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, will join David Mumford as superintendent at Falls Lake State Recreation Area in Wake Forest. Mumford moved into the lead superintendent position last year when Kristen Woodruff was promoted to superintendent for the state parks’ north district.

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is thrilled to announce a new program scheduled for Saturday, May 15 called “Bentonville in Bloom.” This spring event will showcase the natural resources and wildlife that call Bentonville home.  As battlefield preservation has grown to over 2,000 acres, the wildlife found within those acres have also been conserved. “Bentonville in Bloom” will provide visitors with a chance to learn more about the ecosystem from experts on the flora and fauna of eastern North Carolina.

The State Archives of North Carolina will host a virtual roundtable, “Preservation Pointers for the Public,” Wed., May 12, 7-8:30 p.m. Enhance your own family archive with tips from the pros!  May is Preservation Month and State Archives staff want to help you preserve family memorabilia. Staff with expertise in documents, photographs, audio-visual recordings, and electronic records (including social media) will present brief overviews of how to keep those types of materials safe for years to come. They will also address your preservation questions.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources sites have some great events planned throughout April.  Earth Day is meant to increase awareness of the planet we live on, and encourage people to learn more about pollution, climate change, endangered species, and other environmental issues. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth.”

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson today announced three appointments to key roles in department leadership. Staci Meyer will serve as Chief Deputy Secretary for the department. Meyer has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Arts, Libraries and Administration since 2017, and will continue to oversee those divisions. She previously served the department as Chief Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary during the Easley administration.