Press Releases

Irish-born James Gillespie eventually settled in Duplin County and became active in the fight for freedom from British rule. During the Revolutionary War he was a militiaman, advancing to the rank of colonel. He also served in the Provincial Congress in Halifax in 1776 that drafted the state constitution. A North Carolina Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated in his memory Friday, July 6, 11 a.m., at 609 Routledge Rd, Highway 24 East, Kenansville.

Duke Homestead celebrates North Carolina’s food history and culture July 14 at “Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina.” This free, fun family event focuses on everything that makes the state taste great with the highly competitive and extremely tasty annual Barbecue Cook-Off and Pie Competition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

North Carolina students put their knowledge and presentation skills on display at the 44th National History Day Competition at the University of Maryland, College Park June 10-14. When it was over, seven top 10 prizes or recognitions had been awarded to competitors from the Tar Heel State from among the 3,000 competitors. More than 100 students overall took home cash prizes between $250 and $1,000. The contest is the culmination of work up from the local, state to national level. 

Music and melon will accent the Old-Fashioned July 4 Ice Cream Social celebration at Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM). Red watermelon, white vanilla ice cream and bluegrass music are a formula for a fun-filled, family friendly free celebration Wednesday, July 4, 2 to 4 p.m. – or until the food runs out.

Find a fun-filled celebration with history, music and nature for the Fourth of July! Enjoy authentic experiences at attractions of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources this year.   Experience the zeal of some early supporters of the American Revolution at a state historic site, or the calm of a quite walk through the woods at a state park. There will be a special thrill to the high-spirited patriotic July 4 performance of the North Carolina Symphony, and other performances as well.  

The art of barbecuing has evolved in the Americas as explorers, pirates and even Sir Walter Raleigh discovered the natives outdoor cooking technique. Residents of Bath and environs can test their grill skills during the free BBQ Fest, Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. The time-honored tradition of beer also will be recognized with a beer garden featuring domestic and craft beer and wine that opens at noon.

Genealogy research is a complex subject that involves finding the right resources, keen detective work, and enduring patience.

The deep-water robotic investigation of an unidentified shipwreck off the North Carolina coast will be shown live to guests at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island on June 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the dive 40 miles off the coast of Hatteras Island via a robotic submersible launched from the research vessel Okeanos Explorer.

Two students from Research Triangle High School in Durham will have their documentary, “Black Wall Street: Conflict in Tulsa, Compromise in Durham,” screened in Washington, D.C. next week. The documentary was produced for the National History Day competition by Angelica Dinh and Lucy Grossman. It examines two Black Wall Streets, one in Tulsa, Okla., the other in Durham, and was a finalist at N.C. History Day in April.

June is Pride Month, when the LGBT community plans commemorations and celebrations across the country. James Miller, executive director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh, will speak on “Why Pride Matters,” June 21, 12:30 p.m., at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 109 E. Jones St. Raleigh.