Press Releases

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) has named Eric Dorfman as its next museum director. Currently the director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Powdermill Nature Reserve in Pittsburgh, he will join the museum in early 2020. Dorfman’s appointment follows an extensive national search led by a search committee chaired by Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Chief Deputy Secretary Reid Wilson.

Make a stop at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the annual Christmas parade and beautiful lights in downtown Kinston. Prior to the 3 p.m. parade, visitors can enjoy cider, cookies, and crafts of a Victorian Christmas in the museum, with no fee.  “This will be a fun experience for the entire family,” said Program Coordinator Rachel Kennedy. “Enjoy making ornaments, playing games, and learning about the history of Santa Claus. Admission, cookies, cider, and crafts, and all will be free.” 

During the Civil War at Christmas 1862 most people thought the war would be over. Instead, it was at Kinston’s doorsteps. Join volunteers and staff at CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center Friday, Dec. 6, 6 to 8 p.m., for a unique theater presentation, “A Walk Through Christmas Past.” 

Enjoy a glimpse of how an eastern North Carolina Christmas was celebrated during the Civil War at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site in Four Oaks. It will host a Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

North Carolina’s Executive Mansion, the “people’s house,” will open its historic doors again for the beloved annual Holiday Open House from Dec. 12 through Dec. 15. Visitors are invited to tour the home, take in the decorations, and enjoy seasonal musical entertainment by local performing groups. The first floor of the mansion will be decorated with North Carolina-grown Christmas trees, floral and mixed evergreen arrangements and ornate mantle displays.

Join Gov. Roy Cooper at the State Capitol for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 12!  The festivities begin on Capitol Square at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music. There will be music performances by the Raleigh Concert Band and dance by Alicia’s School of the Performing Arts. 

Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12-3 p.m., 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville. Governor and Mrs. Cooper are expected to be at the residence to welcome guests during the event.  Reservations are not needed to attend the open house. Guests are invited to tour the residence, which has been decorated for the season. For more information, please call (828) 225-0122.  

Chapel Hill musician John Santa may call himself "an accidental bluegrass musician," but he knows the roots of the music in North Carolina.   Santa, who says music enriched his life in so many ways, will discuss North Carolina bluegrass history during a free program presented by the N.C. Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1–2:30 p.m. at the Governor Morehead School Auditorium, Lineberry Building, 303 Ashe Ave., Raleigh.    The program is free.   

You can escape the commercialization of many Christmas celebrations and delight in something that highlights the simplicity of Christmas past at Horne Creek Historical Farm. Bask in the warmth and beauty of a rural turn-of-the-century celebration at the “Christmas By Lamplight” program on Thursday, Dec. 5 or Friday, Dec. 6. 

Christmas traditions will be rekindled during Christmas in Halifax! Decorated homes and churches, living history, along with a lively Christmas parade will fuel a festive atmosphere for all Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m-4 p.m.  Enjoy tours of several of the site’s historic buildings, festively decorated with natural materials, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other buildings and churches not regularly open to the public can also be toured. Stop by the visitor center for a complete event schedule and map.