Press Releases

Discover holiday traditions over time at Historic Stagville during the “Christmas at Stagville” holiday open house, Dec. 2, noon to 4 p.m. Help decorate the Bennehan house, learn about the West African Jonkonnu tradition, and experience an evening lantern tour after 5 p.m.

The soft contours of “Christmas by Candlelight” at Duke Homestead make the annual event a visitor favorite. The candlelight tours with costumed interpreters through the historic homestead Fridays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, will showcase the house festooned with 19th century decorations. The tours run 6:45 to 9:15 p.m.

Teachers in North Carolina’s Title I schools have an opportunity to engage their students in ocean science programming, thanks to a new program offering privately-funded mini-grants. The Aquarium Scholars program will provide underserved students in Title I schools across the state access to ocean science and science, technology, engineering and math aquarium education opportunities.

Soldiers and Civilians tried to celebrate Christmas, even during the Civil War. Soldiers decorated their quarters with whatever they had and looked forward to receiving packages from home. Southern families endured the hardships of a naval blockade, food shortages and loved ones far away. Bennett Place State Historic Site will recall those times Saturday, Dec. 16, with a daytime and evening program.

Visitors have another chance to peek behind the scenes at the Capitol Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Capitol is offering a special tour - guests get access to the Capitol’s “secret spaces,” as well as behind the ropes access to most of the building!

Take delight at the Museum of the Albemarle Gingerbread Workshop Friday, Dec. 1, 4 to 5 p.m. The smell of gingerbread will fill the air as kids from age one to 100 are encouraged to decorate gingerbread houses. Just bring a creative spirit and open mind and be ready to have fun!

Six North Carolinians were honored for their achievements Thursday, Nov. 9, by Governor Roy Cooper, who presented each recipient with the state’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Raleigh Marriott City Center.

Nominations for the state's next poet laureate, the ambassador of North Carolina literature, will be accepted from Wednesday, Nov. 15 to Friday, Dec. 8 online at www.NCArts.org.

A day of fun awaits the whole family at the “Life of a Sailor” free program at the Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial site, 2612 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is being reintroduced after an absence following the move of the CSS Neuse to downtown. The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association sponsors the event, which will encompass cooking, cannon fire and much more.

Holiday music will welcome visitors to a heartwarming traditional Christmas with seasonal decorations of fresh greenery and floral arrangements at the 28th Annual Somerset Place Christmas Open House Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy and experience a festive holiday season with sights, sounds and natural decorations on the exterior and interior of buildings and wishes of good cheer.