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Experience North Carolina Historic Sites and Museums This Spring

North Carolina Historic Sites and Museums

March 30, 2012 - North Carolina - For many families, spring break means time to enjoy a get-away together. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources offers wonderful escapes around the state that won't "spring break" the budget. From the Easter Bunny Express at the Transportation Museum in Salisbury, to the sounds of jazz at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh, to Earth Day at the Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville, to Blackbeard artifacts at the Queen Anne's Revenge conservation lab in Greenville, free family fun will make memories this spring to last a lifetime.

 

Eastern North Carolina

Aycock Birthplace - April 4, 18. Living History Wednesdays. See what chores were really like with butter or lye soap making, corn grinding, and candle making in the tradition of the 1870s. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

264 Governor Aycock Rd., Fremont, NC Call (919) 242-5581.
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson - April 17-18. Civil War Heritage Days. Demonstrations of Civil War cavalry, infantry, and artillery, cannon fire every 15 minutes. Camp life, Navy and U.S. Colored Troops also. Part of a week of activities for eighth graders. Free.

8884 Saint Phillips Rd. SE, Winnabow, NC Call (910) 371-6613.

Historic Halifax - April 12. Halifax Day. Costumed interpreters lead tours of historic buildings in memory of the April 12, 1776 vote of the North Carolina Provincial Congress to separate from the British Crown, becoming the first colony to move toward independence. Tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Author Carole Troxler will speak on the Regulator Movement in the Piedmont at 2 p.m. Free.

25 Saint David St., Halifax, NC,27839. Call (252) 583-7191.

Queen Anne Revenge Conservation Lab - April 21. Open House. See cannons and anchors from Blackbeard's shipwreck undergoing conservation. Guess the weight of the largest artifact; look down a microscope at the smallest. Hands-on activities. Part of the N.C. Science Festival; talk to scientists. Shiver the timbers! 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

West Research Campus, 1157 VOA Site C Road, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834 Call (252) 744-6721.

Roanoke Island Festival Park - April 4-28. Showcase of art from Dare County high school students, including drawing, painting, mixed media, collage, fiber art, stained glass, and photography. Exhibit in the art gallery. Reception April 20, 6-8 p.m.

April 28. Appalachian State University's Beans Talk Children's Show. "Beans Talk: A Cow, Some Beans and a Boy Named Jack" is an adaptation of a popular tale. 1-:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. $5 for ages 6 to adult, 5 and under free.

One Festival Park, Manteo, NC 27954 Call (252) 475-1500.

 

Piedmont

Town Creek Indian Mound - April 1. 75th Anniversary Celebration. Special activities include making a clay pot or cordage bracelet, sifting soil like an archaeologist, and the American Indian game, "Chunkey." Speakers will discuss past and future archeological work. Refreshments. 1-4 p.m. Free.

509 Town Creek Mound Rd., Mount Gilead, NC 27306 Call (910) 439-6802.

Museum of the Cape Fear - April 10-14. Pirate Week Fun. In conjunction with a small exhibit of artifacts from the shipwreck of Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, the museum will host a week of activities, including making a pirate hat or flag to keep, a costume contest, scavenger hunt, trivia contest, and a "Where's Blackbeard" figure to find. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Arrrrgh! Free.

April 21. The War of 1812. Explore the many aspects of the War of 1812 with hands-on activities, such as a powder monkey relay, the pike drill, navigation and more. Join other visitors in making a craft paper flag the size of the original Star Spangled Banner, at 32 feet by 40 feet. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

April 22. Earth Day: History from the Ground. Part of the N.C. Science Festival, this program combines history and science with a presentation about gems and minerals, then walk the grounds of the U.S. Arsenal to study the features of the historic site. 2-4 p.m. Free.

Museum of the Cape Fear, 801 Arsenal Avenue, Fayetteville, NC. 28305. Call (919) 486-1330.

N.C. Museum of History - April 14. Teen Fest. Teens and their families learn to build healthy communities at this annual event through workshops on topics such as substance abuse prevention, teen volunteerism and community involvement, and violence reduction. A talent contest, live DJ, celebrity judges and door prizes. Workshops 10:30-noon, teen talent contest, 1-4 p.m. Free.

April 22. Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble. Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with talented students from area high schools, under the direction of Gregg Gelb.

N.C. Museum of History, 5 Edenton St. Raleigh, NC 27601. Call (919) 807-7900.

N.C. Museum of Art - April 22. Spring Family Festival. A celebration of the work of children's book author/illustrator Ashley Bryan. Music making, art workshops, singing and dancing. View Visions of the Heart Exhibition of the award-winning artist's creative process. 3 p.m. Free.

April 7, 28. Family Fun Saturday. Ages 5-11. Families visit El Anatsui exhibit and make works of art that explore the idea of family as community to contribute to the education gallery on April 7. On April 28, families see how artists and scientist solve problems creatively; includes gallery tour and studio workshop for families. Both programs 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. East Building. $3 members/$5 non-members. Reservations recommended. Call (919) 715-5923 to register, or at box office.

N.C. Museum of Art. 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607. Call (919) 839-6262.

 

Western North Carolina

Fort Dobbs - March 31-April 1. War for Empire. Hundreds of costumed interpreters will bring to life the French and Indian War as soldiers, civilians and American Indians. Musket and cannon firing demonstrations and a battle re-enactment at 1:30 p.m. daily. Period music and trades represented, along with scholarly lectures. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

438 Fort Dobbs Rd., Statesville, NC 386245 Call (704) 873-5882.

Mountain Gateway Museum - April 28. Pioneer Days. A celebration of mountain culture and history. Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactors, demonstrations of spinning, weaving, carving, gun-making, blacksmithing and more. Food and craft vendors, pony rides, wagon rides, games for children and adults. Music in the amphitheater and dulcimer players on the front porch. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

102 Water St., Old Fort, NC 28762 Call (828) 668-9259.


N.C. Transportation Museum - March 31- April 1, April 6-7. Easter Bunny Express. The Easter Bunny will ride the train with parents and kids, handing out candy and taking pictures along the way. Make and take a craft and get a temporary tattoo. $12 for ages three and up; two and under ride free.

Easter Bunny Express at N.C. Transportation Museum

April 7. Easter Egg Hunt. Eggs will be stuffed with small toys, candy and stickers; children will be divided by age (participants ages 0-10), special prize eggs also. Bring your own basket. Included with Easter Bunny Express ticket. 12:30 p.m.

April 7. Double Head Caboose Train. The steam engine LeHigh Valley Coal #26 and the Flagg #75 Steam Engine will work together to pull the Caboose Train. A double heading pull of a train by two steam engines is exceptionally rare. Train rides are scheduled for 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m., and 1, 1:45, 2:30, and 3:15 p.m. $12 for ages 3 and up, $18 both the Caboose Train and the Bunny Express. Advance tickets online or available the day of the event.

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 South Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28519 Call (704) 636-2051.

Reed Gold Mine - March 31-October. "Strike It Rich." Discover gold nuggets at Reed Gold Mine, with panning instruction. Also view exhibits, tour underground gold mines and see a rock crushing demonstration at the stamp mill. Panning tickets are $2, tours are free.

9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, NC 28107, off highway 200 near Locust, NC. Call (704) 721-4653.



The Division of State Historic Sites and the Division of State History Museums are agencies of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. For additional information call (919) 807-7389.


 


 


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