As students and families settle into a new school year, the North Carolina Museum of History is offering programs that bring North Carolina history to life through storytelling, science, fashion and hands-on experiences. The museum is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR).
The museum’s September and October lineup includes two programs created especially for teachers. Educators’ Night Out gives teachers and educators a chance to explore resources from organizations across DNCR, while an October workshop will offer new ways to teach the American Revolution in North Carolina.
Teachers can also use the museum’s It’s Revolutionary! video series and educator resources in their classrooms throughout the school year. The 20-part series explores the American Revolution through documentary and narrative storytelling, with accompanying materials developed for fourth grade, eighth grade and high school classrooms.
Other upcoming programs include an evening celebrating Indigenous fashion, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wolfpack Brewing Lab, a storytime about North Carolina state symbols and virtual talks on Operation Bumblebee and the legend of the Maco Light.
Read on for the museum’s September and October programs. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Registration may be required.
- Educators’ Night Out
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6–8 p.m.
Join the museum at Union Hall for a free event designed just for educators. You’ll enjoy complimentary food and drinks, explore hands-on resources, and meet representatives from organizations across the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources who are ready to support your work in and beyond the classroom. Whether you’re gearing up for a new school year or looking for a fun night with fellow educators, we can’t wait to welcome you for a revolutionary night out! - Stitched in Tradition
Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30–8 p.m.
Experience an evening of Indigenous fashion, creativity, and storytelling at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Stitched in Tradition features designers from across North Carolina whose work blends cultural knowledge, contemporary design, and personal expression. Through traditional regalia and runway collections, this showcase celebrates Indigenous identity, visibility, and the power of fashion as living tradition. - History on Tap: The Wolfpack Brewing Lab
Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Join the museum 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. - History at High Noon: Operation Bumblebee
Wednesday, Sept. 30, noon–1 p.m.
History at High Noon is back! Join the museum as we examine the incredible story of Operation Bumblebee, a top-secret U.S. Navy project conducted off the coast of North Carolina. Learn how experiments in the late 1940s helped develop new propulsion technology that revolutionized naval defense and contributed to advances in supersonic flight. - It’s Revolutionary! Choices in Conflict: Loyalist, Patriot, Neither, Both
Friday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
This free interactive workshop for North Carolina educators of grades 4 through 12 explores themes of the American Revolution that continue to resonate today. Exploring the museum’s It’s Revolutionary! resources, workshop attendees will engage in several hands-on sessions led by museum educators and an expert teacher. Additionally, teachers will enjoy a guided tour of the Witnesses to Revolution: North Carolina and the War for Independence exhibit and an opportunity to talk with Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Dr. Kathleen DuVal. - In the Moment: Cultural Activities for the Memory Community
Thursday, Oct. 9, 1–2:30 p.m.
Join the NC Museum of History for our new program series at the North Carolina Museum of Art, West Building. In the Moment: Cultural Activities for the Memory Community is designed for those living with memory changes and their care partners. This is a joint program series with the North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. - Storytime Stewards: So & So Books
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Join the NC Museum of History at So & So Books for a free story time! We’ll read The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder. In this story, we’ll meet Terrance the turtle and his unique shell. Then together, we’ll learn more about box turtles and other North Carolina state symbols and receive a take-home craft. Please register online. - History at High Noon: Maco Light
Wednesday, Oct. 28, noon –1 p.m.
Join the museum 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 more details, click the links above or visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.
About the N.C. Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History connects the people of our state with the past. Through the collection, preservation and interpretation of North Carolina’s history, the museum cares for more than 150,000 artifacts and shares stories from across the state through exhibitions, educational programs and statewide outreach. The museum is currently closed for renovation and is scheduled to reopen in 2028 with updated infrastructure improvements and additional gallery space. During this time, the museum continues to engage audiences through in-person programs, virtual offerings and partnerships across North Carolina. The museum is part of the Division of State History Museums within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
###