About the North Carolina Museum of History
Visitors from around the world travel to the North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, to discover fascinating secrets and hidden gems from our state's past. Located at 5 East Edenton Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh, across from the North Carolina State Capitol, the state history museum welcomed more than 465,000 visitors a year, including 83,000+ schoolchildren.
Currently, the North Carolina Museum of History is embarking on a transformative journey that will redefine how visitors experience the state’s rich history. As part of this project, the physical museum building is closed to the public for an exciting makeover that will last two to three years.
The renovation will usher in a new era for the museum, with reimagined exhibits and interactive experiences that offer deeper insights into North Carolina’s vibrant past. As construction progresses, you can stay connected through virtual and in-person programs, social media, and newsletter updates.
You can contact the Museum at (919) 814-7000. The fax number is (919) 733-8655.
Our Mission Statement
The Division of State History Museums collects and preserves artifacts and other historical materials relating to the history and heritage of North Carolina in a local, regional, national, and international context to assist people in understanding how the past influences the present.
The division interprets history through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications available to the visitor on-site or through distance-learning technologies.
Meet Our Director, C. J. Roberts
C. J. Roberts began his tenure as director of the Division of State History Museums in April 2025.
A museum professional for more than 30 years, Roberts previously directed four history museums. He led two of those museums through their planning, construction, and grand openings, including the Tampa Bay History Center, where he served as president and CEO for 20 years. In the three years leading up to the history center’s opening, Roberts worked closely with various community groups to ensure their voices and stories were accurately represented in the new museum.
Roberts serves on several boards and committees. In 2018 he was appointed to a six-year term on the American Alliance of Museums Accreditation Commission, which oversees the accreditation process.
He earned both an undergraduate degree in History and Folklore and a master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University. Roberts also earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation from CFRE International and graduated from the Seminar for Historical Administration and the Getty Museum Management Institute.
A Home for History: The Journey of the North Carolina Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History has transformed from a small collection into a vibrant institution that brings the state’s diverse history to life. What started as a single-room exhibition has grown into a dynamic museum committed to connecting North Carolinians with their history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, journalist Frederick Augustus Olds traveled across North Carolina, collecting artifacts and stories. His collection was first displayed in 1898 within the State Museum (now the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences) in the old Agriculture Building in Raleigh. In 1902, the Hall of History was officially established, combining Olds’ private collection with historical materials from the State Museum.
As the collection expanded, the Hall of History moved to the State Administration Building in 1914 and later to the Education Building in 1939, solidifying its role as the state’s central history museum. In 1965, it was officially renamed the North Carolina Museum of History.
By the late 1960s, the museum’s growing collection and increasing public interest in history made it clear that a more permanent space was needed. The museum moved into the newly constructed Archives and History Building in downtown Raleigh. This facility provided the museum with expanded exhibit space, improved artifact storage, and dedicated areas for research and educational programs.
By the 1980s, the museum had outgrown its space again. In 1988, construction began on a standalone building at 5 E Edenton Street. The museum opened its doors on April 23, 1994, offering expanded exhibition halls, educational programs, and community events.
Today, the museum is undergoing a major renovation to introduce new exhibits, modern preservation efforts, and enhanced visitor experiences. The renovation will enhance visitor experience and expand the museum’s ability to serve the public in new and dynamic ways. While the building is closed, the museum continues to engage the public through virtual programs and digital resources—because history never pauses.