Press Releases

The North Carolina Arts Council announced today that five traditional artist teams from western North Carolina have received the third annual North Carolina Appalachian Folklife Apprenticeships awards.

Like almost everything else, BugFest will be a little different this year … welcome to BugFest 2021: Plan Bee, a celebration of bees!Did you know there are more than 20,000 species of bees worldwide and more than 4,000 in North America alone? Seventy percent of the world’s agriculture depends on bees, and without them many plants would not be able to reproduce. Because they are crucial to Earth’s ecosystems, it’s important to protect bees and to understand our part in their survival. 

A historical marker commemorating the life of a renowned immigrant architect and builder soon will be installed near the site of his Black Mountain estate.

 It’s time! After a long-anticipated, robust upgrade in exhibits and overall space, the former A Time for Science center on Dickinson Avenue is holding a public celebration Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Grand Opening is coupled with a science expo, showcasing displays and activities inside and outside of the museum.

Construction of a new visitor center at Eno River State Park will limit parking at Fews Ford access through late summer 2022. Visitors should expect parking to reach capacity early in the day on weekends and good weather days. Park staff say visitors should prepare to have a wait for a parking space at Fews Ford while construction continues.

The North Carolina Transportation Museum is pleased to announce an update to the “How the West Was Won” exhibit, located in the Bob Julian Roundhouse.

 The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission has received a $100,386 federal grant (MH-249108-OMS-21) from the national Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for its follow-up project "A Tale of

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson announces the appointments of Dr. Darin Waters as Deputy Secretary for Archives and History and Schorr Johnson as Director of Communications.

The North Carolina Historic Preservation Office (HPO) will conduct a comprehensive architectural survey of historic buildings, structures, and sites within the town limits of Taylorsville in Alexander County beginning the week of Aug. 9. The survey will be conducted by Audrey Thomas, Architectural Survey Specialist in the Western Office of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Asheville.

Summer is here, flowers and centuries-old trees are in full bloom, and cool breezes from Lake Phelps stave off the stifling heat. The 10th annual “Days Gone By” living history event at Somerset Place State Historic Site offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy this beautiful weather.