There was a time when thousands of acres of Durham County were covered with tobacco. On a hot July day laborers would follow mules pulling wooden sleds where armfuls of the harvested sticky green leaves were tossed. To see tobacco growing in Durham today, you may have to visit Duke Homestead State Historic Site, home to the Dukes of Durham, founders of the American Tobacco Company.
In the 1970s, when most movies were made in Hollywood, Earl Owensby decided to build a studio — and create his own independent movies — in North Carolina. Earl Owensby Studios, in Shelby, opened in 1973 and proved that feature films could be produced east of California. In addition to directing and producing, Owensby played leading roles in several of his movies, such as “Death Driver” and “Living Legend: The King of Rock and Roll.”
Bright Star Touring Theatre brings this endearing story of the ugliest duckling in the nest to Roanoke Island Festival Park July 29, 30 and 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park.
Outer Banks historian, author and public speaker James Charlet will give a free lecture about the forgotten heroes of the United States Life-Saving Service at Tryon Palace’s North Carolina History Center from 1-2 p.m., Saturday, July 18.
Get a look at some of the wildlife species encountered by explorers in western North Carolina at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The unique family friendly program will also examine the role of animals and trade in the lives of 18th century settlers.