Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage on the grounds of the State Capitol at a kick-off event for “She Changed the World: NC Women Breaking Barriers” Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The North Carolina Aquariums Division is proud to announce new directors at aquariums in Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island. Liz Baird comes to the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium after serving 24 years at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. She will begin her new position Sept. 2. Larry Warner, who has a 32-year career in museums and aquariums, will serve as director for the Roanoke Island location. He will begin his new position Sept. 3.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Born into slavery in Raleigh in 1803, Lunsford Lane worked industriously, started a business, and eventually bought his freedom. He also lectured to abolitionist groups and authored a memoir. The achievements and contributions of Lunsford Lane will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker to be dedicated Tuesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.  Remarks and a dramatic reading from Lane’s memoir will be held in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Raleigh.

The sounds of artillery and musket fire will once again ring out at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. The annual summer artillery living history program will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Costumed living historians will demonstrate how soldiers made meals, maintained their weapons, equipment and uniforms, trained for battle, withstood the weather and much more. This free program will feature artillery and musket firings at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  

The Division of Parks and Recreation (Division) is seeking public input on the Elk Knob State Park Master Plan. The Master Plan will be a twenty-year plan that covers the entire state park, which contains over 4,200 acres spanning Watauga and Ashe Counties. The park is sited within the Amphibolite Mountains, an ecological hotspot of global significance.

Spying is sometimes known as the world’s second oldest profession. Nineteenth century notions about a woman’s place and capabilities set the stage for hundreds of women to become spies during the American Civil War. “Beautiful Deception” is an exhibit at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center through January 2020 about some fabled Civil War era spies.

In the summer of 1755, a company of soldiers began construction of Fort Dobbs to protect the western frontier of the colony of North Carolina. A full-scale replica of that fort will open 264 years later, Saturday and Sunday, Sept.21-22, in Statesville.

The Algonquin Tennis Club was formed in 1922 in Durham to give aspiring African American tennis players a place to meet and play. The American Tennis Association was created in 1916 to encourage and support competitive tennis among African Americans and created the club, where nationally known players competed. A N.C. Highway Historical marker will be dedicated to the club Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at W.D. Hill Recreation Center in Durham.

Governor Roy Cooper signed bills into law this month authorizing a new state park and three new state trails. The new laws (S.L. 2019-74, S.L. 2019-20, S535) allow the addition of Pisgah View State Park in Buncombe and Haywood counties; Northern Peaks State Trail in Watauga and Ashe counties, the Wilderness Gateway State Trail in the South Mountains range in McDowell, Rutherford, Burke and Catawba counties; and the Overmountain Victory State Trail reaching across Avery, Mitchell, McDowell, Burke, Rutherford, Polk, Caldwell, Wilkes and Surry counties. 

Secretary Susi Hamilton of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources issued the following statement after learning of the death of Phil Freelon:   We were saddened to learn about the passing this morning of renowned architect, arts advocate and 2017 North Carolina Award winner Phil Freelon.