Press Releases

The North Carolina Arts Council will offer a series of free readings across the state to spotlight the talents of literary artists who work in fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting and creative non-fiction. In partnership with local bookstores, the public readings will spotlight recipients of the N.C. Arts Council’s Artist Fellowships in the literary category. Here are the dates and locations for the readings:   Tuesday, Oct. 22 Quail Ridge Books 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609 7 p.m.

Celebrate some of the brightest, most creative and giving of North Carolina citizens at the North Carolina Awards ceremony Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Each year the state recognizes citizens who have made a significant impact on North Carolina and the nation in the areas of fine arts, literature, science or public service with a black-tie gala. The award is presented by the governor.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed October 2019 as Archives Month in North Carolina, recognizing those who preserve and provide access to public records and archival materials in North Carolina’s archive repositories throughout the state.   The State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh houses over a hundred million items relating to the development and culture of the state—the earliest piece in the collection is a map dating to 1584. 

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has been awarded a grant by the National Park Service to renovate a 1920s rail car built to comply with Jim Crow laws that is now at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer. The $287,442 grant will fund renovation of a car which has not been used since 1969. 

The state’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award, will be presented to six distinguished North Carolinians Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Raleigh Convention Center. Governor Roy Cooper will present the award at a 7 p.m. banquet and ceremony. The award was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to recognize significant contributions to the state and nation in the fields of fine arts, literature, public service and science.

The Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab is celebrating Archaeology Month in North Carolina by taking over the National Science Olympiad’s October Wonder Challenge.  To celebrate the National Science Olympiad Tournament coming to North Carolina in May 2020, the lab is challenging members of the public to build a boat with whatever floats. You can use any materials you have around your home such as duct tape, paper cups, straws, or paper. 

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina Arts Council, the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are pleased to announce that more than $60,000 has been raised during the North Carolina Year of Music to benefit the rehabilitation and preservation of Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, N.C.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has been awarded a grant by the National Park Service to renovate a historic structure at the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in Sedalia. The $481,150 grant will fund preservation of the Tea House on the campus, which will be used to interpret the legacy of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, at the first state historic site to exclusively interpret African American history during the 20th century Civil Rights Era and the only site to honor the accomplishments of a woman. 

Fort Anderson, at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, recently unveiled its newest exhibit – a long awaited 32-pounder seacoast cannon that was installed in Gun Emplacement #2 on the Southern Battery.  “This is a great day for the site,” said Site Manager Jim McKee. “After more than eleven years we have finally completed this project. It will put Fort Anderson in elite company, in terms of interpretation. The staff and I are beyond excited!”

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which manages the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program, requests the public’s help in locating two missing highway historical markers. They both are related to Stoneman’s Raid.