Ready to fall into a new season? Join us for events and exhibits — both familiar and unfamiliar — lined up throughout this month at the NC Museum of History in Raleigh!
Read on for all their September events. Programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Weekend parking is free.
History Corner: Civil War Kids*
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10–11 a.m.
What was it like to have military battles in your backyard? Imagine your life during, and just after, the Civil War.
Ages 6–9 (may be accompanied by an adult); $5 per child; $3 for MOHA/museum members. To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-814-7046.
History Hunters: Early Exploration* SOLD OUT
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Learn about the first Europeans to explore what has become North Carolina: the Spanish. What were they looking for? Who greeted them?
Ages 10–13; $5 per child; $3 for MOHA/museum members. To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-814-7046.
Ken Burns’ Country Music Preview Screening
Thursday, Sept. 5, 7–8:45 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
(2019; not rated; run time: approx. 50 min.)
Directed and produced by Ken Burns, this new documentary explores the origins of a uniquely American style of music. The full (8-part, 16-hour) series begins later this month on PBS, but tonight’s overview will skim across the genre’s deep and interwoven roots.
History à la Carte: QuiltSpeak
Wednesday, Sept. 11, noon–1 p.m.
Learn how museum specialists Diana Bell-Kite, Curator of Cultural History, and Paige Myers, Textile Conservator, worked together to create our current exhibition on quilts, quilting, and quiltmakers. Arrive early, if you can, or stay after so you can tour the exhibit on Level 3.
Bring your own lunch; some beverages provided. Register at NCMOH-programs.com to reserve a seat. For information, call 919-814-7032.
City of Oaks Pirate Fest at Dorothea Dix Park*
Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Meet at Dorothea Dix Park, near downtown Raleigh, and see dozens of regionally known reenactors, musicians, and crafters who will share piratical mischief through hands-on activities and live performances.
Presented by Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, NC Museum of History, and City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. Thank you to our event partners: CBS 17, Curtis Media Group with KIX 102.9, The New Pulse 96.9/102.5 and Star 92.9, Wegmans, and Residence Inn.
Quilting Demonstration: Gate City Quilters
Thursday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Watch and learn with these Greensboro-area quilters as they demonstrate hand-stitching techniques on our museum quilt. Allow time to visit the exhibit QuiltSpeak, too, on Level 3.
Register at NCMOH-programs.com to reserve a seat. For information, call 919-814-7032.
One Hidden Figure SOLD OUT
Thursday, Sept. 19
6 p.m.: Lecture in Daniels Auditorium
7–8 p.m.: Book signing and coffee-and-dessert reception
Speaker: Dr. Christine Darden, Mathematician, Data Analyst, Aeronautical Engineer, NASA
Darden—who was featured in Margot Lee Shetterly’s book Hidden Figures—has been recognized for her work in researching supersonic flight and sonic booms. This evening, she will share some of the experiences she had as an African American woman working for NASA during the space race.
$10 per person; $5 for MOHA/museum members. To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For more information, call 919-814-7042.
Bed Turning—Quilts from the Museum Collection
Saturday, Sept. 28, 1–3 p.m.
Presenters: Diana Bell-Kite, Curator of Cultural History, Museum of History, and Paige Myers, Textile Conservator, Museum of History
See unusual and fragile quilts from the museum collection and learn their stories. These artifacts are not part of the current quilt exhibit. You’ll also hear how the museum experts care for this unique collection. Proceeds benefit the museum’s textile conservation fund.
$20 per person; $10 for MOHA/museum members. To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-814-7046.
About the NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. Last year, more than 465,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network
Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums, cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.
About the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries, and natural assets in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums, and Jennette’s Pier, as well as 39 state parks and recreation areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported symphonic orchestra, the State Library of North Carolina, the State Archives of North Carolina, the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, along with the state Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, call 919-814-6800 or visit DNCR.nc.gov.
