African American history in North Carolina involves the pursuit of freedom, equality and excellence. The following programs from venues of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources celebrate the lives and contributions of African Americans to the state.
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Confederate forces were well in control of the fight during the early days of the Civil War, until the arrival of Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside at the Outer Banks. Author Michael Zatarga will speak on his title, “The Battle of Roanoke Island: Burnside and the Fight for North Carolina,” Feb. 10, 11 a.m. at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. This is a free event.
Recalling the Scots-Irish settlers in the region, a special fundraising concert featuring the Scottish fiddle/cello duo of Tim MacDonald and Jeremy Ward is being presented by the Friends of Fort Dobbs State Historic Site. The Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m. concert at Southern Distilling, north of Statesville, celebrates the release of the duo’s new album, “The Wilds,” and also raises funds for Fort Dobbs.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and its support group the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association will sponsor a weekend-long cruise May 10-13 to demonstrate the potential for a small boat cruise industry in the Albemarle region.
Are you interested in learning about your family’s past, but don’t know where to start? Plan a visit to the Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site in Fremont Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. for a beginning genealogy workshop, the first in a series of three.
Enjoy a unique family outing with activities and fun at the Victorian Saturday program at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center, Jan. 27, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Soft spun cotton thread on unbleached muslin can create beautiful white on white home textiles. The soft cotton thread also can be braided and used to form the wick for candles. Historic Bath will show you how to embroider your own decorative piece using white thread Jan. 11, at 10 a.m.
Isolation. The immense mountains of western North Carolina made life difficult for early regional settlers. Telling its story with objects, labels, and striking high resolution photographs, “The Mountains Are Calling: At Home in Western North Carolina” utilizes the scenery around the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site to explore facets of life in the North Carolina mountains from c.1790 to c.1830. The exhibit opens Jan. 8 at the North Carolina State Capitol.
Football lovers across the country will soon be in hog heaven. The college football bowl season is here. There are 40 games this season, six of which have taken place already. Three North Carolina schools will play in coming days, and N.C. A&T State played Dec. 16, defeating Grambling State in the Celebration Bowl. If we count distant cousins in the ACC, 10 games of interest will be played up to and including Jan. 1.
A North Carolina New Year’s tradition of family adventure, exercise and reconnection with nature continues in 2018 with First Day Hikes in North Carolina State Parks on Jan. 1.