Press Releases

Ever heard of a closet tax? Were people really shorter way back when? It’s time to break down all those common myths and misconceptions about historic houses and life in the 19th century. After your May 19 interactive tour of the Duke house, you’ll be an expert on what’s not true!

Some North Carolina K-12 students who do not have home internet access will soon receive assistance through a $250,000, two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Did you know the state tree is the pine? Or that the state sport is stock car racing? Come out to learn these facts and more -- meet your North Carolina state symbols at the symbol for our state, the N.C. State Capitol! Join the Capitol for a day of free family fun Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Gold mining at Reed Gold Mine was in its heyday in the 1850s. This was before the California gold rush, when gold mining in North Carolina was the place to be. In 1799, young Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in Little Meadow Creek, giving rise to America’s first gold rush. Historic interpreters at Reed Gold Mine, Saturday, April 28, will recall that time.

The North Carolina Arts Council, The Arts Council of Wilson, and the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park will present a free concert, The Jazz Revival Project, Thursday, June 7 at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson. 

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi Hamilton announces the appointments of Tracey Burns as Assistant Secretary for Diversity and Inclusion and Michelle Lanier as Director of the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites and Properties.

The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation has reached an agreement with Anderson Real Estate #4, LLC and its affiliates to exchange parcels of land near William B. Umstead State Park’s Crabtree entrance in Raleigh. 

Master bluegrass musician, public radio program host and Appalachian music professor Wayne Erbsen will headline entertainment at Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center’s 34th Annual Pioneer Day Festival Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Old Fort.

There can be a certain charm to cooking over an open fire, and participants in the Historic Cooking Class on the Old Southern Way of Cooking at President James K. Polk State Historic Site will have that experience. The workshop, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., led by trained historic chef Cheryl Henry, will reconnect participants to the lives of women of centuries past. The fee is $60.

Food, fun, special events and history will take over the town during the Kinston BBQ Fest Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to classic cars and barbecue, see some of the period physician’s tools at a free medical program at the CSS Neuse.