Author: Colleen MacGilvray, THJHA Program Coordinator
African lions, bears, and junior historians! Members from several Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) clubs from around the state gathered and celebrated North Carolina’s local and state history at the 2025 annual convention on Saturday, April 5. This event is a favorite of junior historian clubs comprised of students in grades 4 through 12. This year’s annual convention even included a few new participants—like polar bears!—at a new location.
In past years, the North Carolina Museum of History hosted the annual convention at the museum. This year’s event was held at the North Carolina Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Asheboro because of the museum’s renovation and temporary closure. The zoo was featured in the fall 2024 issue of Tar Heel Junior Historian magazine, Carolina Critters. The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees both the museum and zoo. Junior historians were able to explore the zoo they learned about in the magazine and discover for themselves why the zoo is such an important part of North Carolina history.
On convention day, Tar Heel Junior Historians arrived with their club members, advisers, families, and caregivers. Once they arrived, junior historians received a drawstring bag that contained an activity journal and materials: a pencil, a compass, a hand lens, and a slap bracelet that doubled as a ruler. Junior historians used these to learn about primary sources, understand the importance of primary sources in historical research, and create a firsthand account of their day at the zoo.
Junior historians also looked through their set of the first series of Collecting Carolina Cards. The first series of these cards features the state animals of North Carolina. Several series of state symbols will follow. Junior historians and other curious kids and adults can collect and trade these cards with images of a state symbol on one side and fun facts on the back!
After greeting their fellow junior historians and participating in a roll call of THJHA clubs in attendance, all club members entered the zoo. Clubs went in all different directions. The Polar Bear Junior Historians from Union Preparatory Academy in Union County went to the Rocky Coast Habitat to learn about polar bears and take a picture with their club’s namesake. Reynolds Mountain Junior Historians from Reynolds Mountain Christian Academy in Buncombe County found larger-than-life insect sculptures.
The annual convention is a yearly event hosted by THJHA. The association also sponsors an annual contest to encourage the study of local and state history. These contests provide junior historians the opportunity to share with others what they have learned about North Carolina’s history and culture. Junior historians also learn about North Carolina history through the Tar Heel Junior Historian magazine. Two issues are published each school year and cover a wide range of engaging themes.
THJHA allows junior historians to come together and share their passion for learning North Carolina history since its creation by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1953. The association continues to expand and reach students across North Carolina at events like this year’s annual convention. New clubs are invited to join THJHA. Registration information can be found online and shared with educators and students. As this academic year comes to a close, the North Carolina Museum of History education staff is excited to continue to provide new resources and events to engage students and highlight the history of this great state for many years to come.