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.
June 11, 2026—Virtual
Author Talk: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
The Book: Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 7 p.m.
Online
As we wrap up the first installment of NCMOH’s Plott Hound Literary Circle, we hope you’ll join us for a special virtual book talk. Award-winning author Dolen Perkins-Valdez will be discussing her critically acclaimed novel Happy Land. Attendees will be invited to submit questions in advance, so be sure to watch for upcoming opportunities to participate!
June 15, 2026—Cary
MOH Pop-Up!: State Symbols Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Cary Park
Monday, June 15, 2026, 4–8 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
We’re popping up to bring the North Carolina Museum of History to you in Downtown Cary Park! We will have stations with family activities located throughout the park. Learn about North Carolina state symbols and complete challenges to earn a gift from the Museum Shop!
This pop-up is part of the Downtown Cary Park’s Summer BreakOUT! program. This fun-filled day will celebrate creative, budget-friendly ways for families to stay busy once school is out. From hands-on activities and simple crafts to playful learning and summer inspiration, BreakOUT! has the bases covered.
July 18, 2026—Raleigh
Paint, Sip, and Ponder: Quilts
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Wine & Design, 7365 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615
Speaker: NC Museum of History Curator of Textiles and Clothing Diana Bell-Kite and Wine & Design staff
Description: Join the NC Museum of History for the next installment of our new paint and sip program. This time we’re featuring colorful and traditional textiles: quilt squares! No artistic talent needed, just the desire to have fun. Wine & Design staff will guide you step by step to complete your very own take-home masterpiece. You’ll also have the chance to learn about this historic art form with the MOH’s own Curator Diana Bell-Kite!
This event is BYOB. Liquor is not permitted, but beer and wine are allowed. The activity is recommended for ages 18 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult!
To register, visit HERE. Tickets are $50 per person, and space is limited. Registration ends after July 14.
August 20, 2026—Garner
Crafting at the Cinema: Night at the Museum
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W. Garner Rd., Garner, NC 27529
The North Carolina Museum of History, in partnership with the Garner Performing Arts Center, invites you and your family to bring your craft supplies to a showing of Night at the Museum! The theater lights will stay slightly up during the movie, allowing you to color, crochet, or work on any other lap-friendly craft. Be sure to check out pieces of the museum’s collection in the lobby and ask our security guards what really happens at night!
Disclaimer: Attendees are encouraged to bring their own materials for crafting. Lap-friendly crafts are art projects that can be contained to a single theater seat and do not include the use of glue, paint, or glitter.
August 26, 2026—Virtual
History at High Noon: Operation Bumblebee
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 3–4 p.m.
Location: Zoom
History at High Noon is back! Join us as we relaunch this series by examining the incredible story of Operation Bumblebee.
Speaker: Lorraine Makey, Manager of the Missiles and More Museum on Topsail Island
Your favorite virtual lunchtime lecture series is back! Join us as we kick off the latest installment of History at High Noon by hearing about Operation Bumblebee. On a barrier island off the coast of North Carolina stand seven concrete towers, a lonely testament to a top secret project. In the late 1940s, US Navy secret experiments created a new type of propulsion that revolutionized how we protected our Navy ships. Additionally, these barrier-breaking discoveries enabled jets’ flights into the supersonic reaches of outer space. This is the incredible story of Operation Bumblebee.
September 26, 2026—Raleigh
History on Tap: The Wolfpack Brewing Lab
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Main Foyer, Schaub Hall, 400 Dan Allen Dr., NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
Speaker: Sebastian Wolfrum, Lecturer and Brewing Laboratory Manager, Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, NC State University
Location: Main Foyer, Schaub Hall, 400 Dan Allen Dr., NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
Description: Curious about how beer is made, how it all got started, and how the next generation of brewers are learning the craft that is the basis of modern bioprocessing? Join us for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Wolfpack Brewing Lab at NC State and learn how the grain-to-glass magic happens! Whether you’re a microbrew enthusiast or just curious about the history and science of fermentation, you won’t want to miss this.
Spots are limited, so grab a ticket and come see what the Wolfpack Brewing Lab is all about!