On Saturday, October 28, Discovery Place, Charlotte will celebrate its 25th Anniversary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a Happy Birthday! event at 1 p.m., Inventor's Day, an exhibit called Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking, and four films in The Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theatre.

The 16th Annual N.C. Maritime History Council Conference, with the theme of Underground and Underwater: Where One Finds History, will be held in Southport on October 26, 27 and 28. Registration is open to the public. Check out the agenda and registration information at their website.

The N.C. Museum of Forestry will present Wildlife Encounters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 in Whiteville. This special program featuring eleven organizations from around the state, is part of the Pecan Harvest Festival and is free.

The Ingram Planetarium, Sunset Beach, will focus on the planet Mercury as it transits the sun -- on Wednesday, November 8 from 3 to 6 p.m. Information on this special program and fees is available at their website or by calling (910) 579-1016.

Upcoming events at the N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh, include a History Corner on A Proud People (ages 5-8 with adult) on Wed., Nov. 1 from 10-10:45 a.m.; a North Carolina Connections Concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 4; an informal workshop on Preserving Your Family Textiles from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5; and a Time for Tots (ages 3-5, with adult) on Hoecakes & Roastin' Ears from 10-10:45 a.m. on November 7 and November 14.