Experiences Inside and Out of the Museum
Explore North Carolina history through engaging programs and events for all ages. From expert-led lectures and hands-on experiences to community festivals, pop-up events, and family activities, our offerings connect the state’s past, present, and future. Learn more about upcoming programs and events below.
October 28, 2026—Virtual
History at High Noon: Maco Light
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, noon–1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Holli Saperstein, Executive Director, Wilmington Railroad Museum
Join us for a spooky edition of History at High Noon as we explore the mystery of the Maco Light, one of North Carolina’s most famous ghost stories! Reported for more than a century near old train tracks in Brunswick County, this legend tells the story of a ghostly railroad conductor named Joe Baldwin. After a tragic accident, believers have claimed to spot Baldwin’s spirit searching for his lost head. This talk will examine the real history behind the tale and how the story became an important part of local folklore, attracting visitors and curiosity from across the country!
For questions, please contact Stacey Smith at (919) 814-7032.
November 7, 2026—Raleigh
Paint, Sip & Ponder: Cardinals!
Saturday, November 7, 2026, noon–2 p.m.
Location: Hartwell Raleigh, 620 W. South St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Speaker: Teedgra Carter, owner of Art Time Studio
Join the museum for the next installment of our new paint and sip program—this time featuring cardinals! Instructor Teedgra Carter will guide you through painting a scene featuring our state bird. Celebrate the upcoming holiday or winter solstice or simply the beauty that is our state bird! See some cool cardinal-themed artifacts from the museum’s collection and learn how the cardinal came to be our state bird! When you arrive, grab your favorite libation from Hartwell Raleigh’s very talented bartenders then head on over to the class space.
Teedgra Carter is passionate about inspiring creativity. She loves helping folks of all ages explore painting, drawing, clay, and more in a fun, welcoming environment.
November 10, 2026—Chapel Hill
“The Samuel Adams of North Carolina?”: Cornelius Harnett and the Revolution in North Carolina
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Location: Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Speaker: Dr. Jason Stroud, Associate Professor of History, Greensboro College
Discover North Carolina’s “Samuel Adams” in this talk held in conjunction with the exhibit Witnesses to the Revolution: North Carolina and the War for Independence, a collaborative effort of Wilson Library and the Museum of History. Only dimly remembered today, Cornelius Harnett of Wilmington was recognized in his time as among North Carolina's most powerful and influential Patriot leaders. This lecture will explore what we can learn about the American Revolution in North Carolina, particularly the lower Cape Fear, by taking a closer look at Harnett's life. Discover this important historical figure with Dr. Jason Stroud, who has been researching and pondering Harnett’s life and contributions. Before the conversation, explore the exhibit to see the “stuff” of North Carolina Revolutionary history.
November 20, 2026—Virtual
American Indian Heritage Celebration Education Day
Friday, November 20, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Enjoy memorable and impactful sessions showcasing a rich variety of music and dance performances, hands-on craft demonstrations, and presenter sessions from past Cultural Education Days held in conjunction with the American Indian Heritage Celebration. Streamed in one convenient package, this event highlights diverse traditions, art forms, and cultural perspectives and includes a recently recorded conversation with an Indigenous fashion designer. This compilation celebrates the vibrant and transformative experiences of Cultural Education Days. Watch the stream anytime or all the time!
November 21, 2026—North Carolina Museum of Art
American Indian Heritage Celebration
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
The North Carolina Museum of History proudly presents the annual American Indian Heritage Celebration (AIHC)! The celebration—with support from its community partners, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs and the North Carolina American Indian Commission—has been the culminating event in honor of American Indian Heritage Month in North Carolina for more than three decades.
The celebration highlights traditional and contemporary artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of American Indian communities in North Carolina. It also brings together members of all nine state-recognized tribes. The consistent theme and message of AIHC, as expressed by its planning committee, is visibility: Indigenous people are still here!