Press Releases

 Let the feeling of the holidays inspire you this year with a visit to a state historic site, museum, state park or aquarium. You can take a hike up Jockey's Ridge, enjoy a candlelight tour of Tryon Palace or a ride a Holiday Train at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. For more information visit https://www.ncdcr.gov/things-to-do/trips-travel-ideas/holidays.  East

The State Archives of North Carolina will host a virtual roundtable, “Holiday Flavors of the Past,” Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7-8:30 p.m. State Archives staff will share stories about holiday foods from the collection including the tradition of Old Christmas in Rodanthe and its foodways, holiday feasts on military bases, and 150-year-old recipes that can become DIY holiday gifts. Panelists will include Samantha Crisp, director of the Outer Banks History Center; Matthew Peek, Military Collection Archivist; and Callie Beatty, intern.

The North Carolina Historical Commission will hold its regular meeting via conference call Wednesday., Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.

The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum at the Palmer Memorial Institute State Historic Site is excited to announce its slate of holiday programs for the 2021 season. Starting the first week of December, the Visitor’s Center will be open to the public and staff will have children’s craft bags available along with a story walk featuring “The Nutcracker in Harlem” by T. E. McMorrow with illustrations by James Ransome. Staff will also be giving candlelit holiday-themed tours of the campus on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

 By December of 1756, Fort Dobbs was complete. Its garrison of 50 North Carolina soldiers prepared to spend the first of many winters in the building as they guarded the western edge of settlement in the British colony during the French and Indian War. 

Join the State Capitol and Governor Roy Cooper for the return of the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 9! The festivities will begin on Capitol Square at 5:30 p.m. with holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band. The governor, Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson and other dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds at 6:15 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street.

 ‘Tis the season! The holidays are fast approaching, and we invite you to begin your season festivities with us at Somerset Place State Historic Site during our 31st Annual Christmas Open House Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. 

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson and Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell will visit Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site Tuesday in Honor of American Indian Heritage Month, which is celebrated in November. The site, a significant Native American archaeological location, is located in Montgomery County near Mt. Gilead.  The Department of Administration acts as the business manager for North Carolina state government.

 A local historical group’s swift adoption of technology and social media promotion of its programming has been rewarded. The Southport Historical Society will receive the 2021 Albert Ray Newsome Award from the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. The Southport Historical Society was chosen for its quantity and variety of high-quality virtual and hybrid programs since March 2020.

We are very excited to announce that on Nov. 5, Somerset Place will open a new traveling exhibit, "Navigating Jim Crow: The Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina.”