Topics Related to Living History

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and the State Archives of North Carolina are partnering with the WeGOJA Foundation on a new initiative, Black Carolinians Speak: Portraits of a Pandemic, to capture the experiences of African Americans in the Carolinas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will gather first-person testimonies, letters, music, images, art and other documents that will be part of a physical and virtual exhibit.

Two days after surviving the battle of Bentonville, Lt. Col. William E. Strong reflected on “those brave and gallant companions in arms who will come back to us no more. Peace to the gallant dead, sleeping, some of them in far away and unmarked graves.” Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will reflect on the battle’s casualties during the 157th-anniversary commemoration, “Peace to the Gallant Dead.” This illumination event will take place on the evening of March 19, 2022.

 ‘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. 

In 1761, the western part of North Carolina was in crisis. Warfare between British colonists and the Cherokee had raged for two years. By the summer and fall, armies massed for a final invasion of the Cherokee's homeland.



Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will host a living history event Sept. 25 that will demonstrate the experiences of the soldiers, Cherokee, and settlers caught up in the Anglo-Cherokee War. Ongoing displays of life in military camps will include period cooking, trades and crafts, as well as scheduled weapons firing demonstrations.

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.

Join Duke Homestead State Historic Site at the historic Durham Athletic Park for an evening of two vintage baseball games on Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Are you a local artisan? Do you have beautiful crafts to share with the community? The Gov. Charles B. Aycock State Historic Site is currently accepting applications for craft vendors to participate in its annual “Rakin’ in the Fun Festival” on Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.



The event will feature musical groups, a kids’ area with an inflatable slide and games, food trucks and living history demonstrations. There is a $10 vendor fee for participating in the event.

Savor history and nature at a state park, aquarium or the zoo July 4 weekend. Numerous activities are planned across the state that coincide with Independence Day.

Living history returns to Fort Dobbs in Statesville.

On June 26, Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will host a living history event showcasing camp life when the fort provided shelter to civilians seeking refuge from a 1759 war between British colonists and the indigenous Cherokee of western North Carolina.

Costumed re-enactors representing colonists, along with enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will demonstrate historic weapons, cooking and crafts. The program will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Did you know that over 300 businesses in North Carolina were listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book? In fact, there were 327.