1). Mint Museum of Art: Beginning May 17th, the Mint Museum of Art will originate a major traveling exhibition of more than 100 rare and unique works by British-born artist and writer Clare Leighton. This collection of Leighton’s work, assembled and donated to the Museum by Charlotte resident Gabby Pratt, is one of the largest in the country and includes more than 180 of the artist’s finely-detailed engravings, drawings and watercolors, spanning Leighton’s career from 1923 to 1965.

2). Bellamy Mansion Museum presents “Letters and Diaries: Patriotism and Hope” as part of Confederate History Day, May 24th. Learn about the lives of women during the War Between the States though their letters and diaries. Vignettes throughout the house will be presented by members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter Number 3. Re-enactors will be dressed in fashions of the 1860s, reading from memoirs and correspondence of the time. This will be part of the regular tours of the house from 1 to 4 p.m.

3). Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Tryon Palace was initially accredited in 1989. All museums must undergo a re-accreditation review at least every ten years to maintain accredited status.

4). The Cape Fear Museum presents “Community Conversation: Colonial Experiences Everyday Goods and the American Revolution” on Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. What was the connection between everyday household goods and political resistance on the Eve of Independence? Timothy Breen, director of the Center for Historical Studies at Northwestern University, will explain how everyday goods were linked to the mobilization of ordinary Americans through boycotts of the consumer marketplace.

5). Old Salem Museums & Gardens will host "From Fleece to Felt," a Spring Festival where sheep will be the highlight on Saturday, May 24. Hands-on activities and demonstrations will include washing and scouring wool, home dyeing, spinning and carding wool, and much more. Join Old Salem for a day of fun for the whole family.

6). The North Carolina Museum of History presents “Three Centuries of American Military History” on Monday, May 26 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Celebrate Memorial Day in all-American style. See patriotic displays and enjoy activities on the grounds of the State Capitol. Then visit the museum to view the exhibits “A Call to Arms, Everybody’s War: North Carolina and World War II” and “A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans.”

7). The Greensboro Children’s Museum will kick off plans for its new Edible Gardens and Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) with a spring fundraiser, “Rock the Garden.” The event will take place Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 7-11 p.m. at the Greensboro Children’s Museum. This adults-only party will feature Mexican food, retro dance music by The Party Nuts, and a live and silent auction of hand-painted garden furniture, custom-built sandboxes and other garden-related items.

8). Port Discover: Preschoolers will explore the wonders of the solar system during Port Discover’s Toddler Time, “Solar System Adventure,” set for Thursday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. Children will learn about the planets and the sun and create their own solar system model. A fee of $5 per family and reservations are required. Program is for 3 – 5 year-olds and parents or guardians must accompany the child.

9). North Carolina Humanities Council: The N.C. Humanities Council is bringing Museum on Main Street, an exciting traveling Smithsonian exhibit, to six N.C. museums in 2010. “New Harmonies: American Roots Music” offers opportunities for communities to collect and celebrate their music traditions. The exhibit may inspire concerts and sing-a-longs, radio programs featuring music and interviews with musicians, film and reading discussion programs, and even music writing contests. The exhibit is comprised of eight free-standing structures with audio and interactive components, banners and instruments and artifacts mounted in cases, required at least 1,000 sq. feet of display space with an eight foot ceiling. A complete description of the exhibit is on the website listed above. Darrell Stover, the NC Statewide MoMS Coordinator is available for questions: dstover@nchumanities.org