NCMC Events From Around the State… April 5, 2010

1). N.C. Museum of History presents Raleigh Civic Symphony Chamber Players: New Deal Music on Saturday, April 10, 3-4 p.m. Explore American classical music of the 1930s and 1940s inspired by the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Music Project. The performance complements “In Search of a New Deal: Images of North Carolina, 1935-1941”, an exhibit of photographs documenting daily life in rural North Carolina during the Great Depression. The 50 Farm Security Administration photographs provide a compelling and diverse portrait of a state coping with tough economic times.

2). Bennett Place State Historic Site Two hardened war adversaries who later became great friends negotiated the largest troop surrender of the American Civil War at Bennett Farm near Durham Station on April 26, 1865. A re-enactment of one of the war’s last surrenders will be held at Bennett Place State Historic Site on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, highlighting a week of free commemorative events for the 145th anniversary of the end of America’s deadliest war, which cost more than 625,000 lives.

3). Cameron Art Museum N.C. Collects: The Real McCoy is the first in a series of exhibitions featuring private collections in North Carolina. The exhibition will be on view at the Cameron Art Museum April 23-September 12. “The Real McCoy” opens with a private reception and gallery talk for members Thursday, April 22 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, and a public reception from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.

4). Washington County Historical Society along with the Port o’ Plymouth Museum is pleased to announce a brand-new Civil War Living History in Motion project. Entitled “Odyssey of an Ironclad: The Incredible Journey of the CSS Albemarle”, a working replica of the ironclad crewed by a local group of Confederate Naval Re-enactors, will retrace the ironclad’s perilous April 1864 race down the treacherous Roanoke River to Plymouth and a place in the annals of Naval History. The two-day journey will begin on the morning of Saturday, April 17th. The CSS Albemarle will depart at 10:00 am from Edwards Ferry, (the boat ramp at the foot of Hwy 258 bridge at Scotland Neck), and begin the journey down the Roanoke River to her home port in Plymouth, arriving late on Sunday afternoon.

5). The Bascom Starting April 12, The Bascom will offer its spring Art Academy session -- eight weeks of beginning art classes that last through June 4. These ongoing classes for non-artist, beginner or continuing students are “gateway” experiences – entry points to, or expansion of, your art experience.

6). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold Pre-Schooler Time on Thursday, April 8 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. This month’s theme is “A Little Color Will Do,” where pre-schoolers will discover how people used natural ingredients to dye yarn and cloth, read a book, and participate in a hands-on activity. This program is free.

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Train to become an official severe weather spotter, meet local television meteorologists, and learn tips for surviving hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning storms at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ first annual StormFest, Saturday, April 10 from 9am to 4pm. This free event is presented in collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS), American Red Cross and Wake County Emergency Services, and includes demonstrations, activities and educational material for all ages.

8). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents Family First Southern Sculpture Workshop on Sunday, April 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 per person attending the workshop. Discover the southern buildings photographed by William Christenberry and make your own three-dimensional building out of found materials. We will photograph your sculpture, too! Family First Workshops are for elementary school-aged children and up, accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided.

9). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents Tartan Day at the Museum on April 6 at 12:30 in the Museum Courtyard. Special program and Scottish Tea featuring shortbread, soda bread and tea in honor of Tartan Day. Free to the public.

10). Turchin Center for Visual Arts presents Bridges to Communication: New Works by Bill Brown – April 2 to July 31. Bill Brown is a sculptor and painter who lives and works in nearby Linville. He has been a full-time studio sculptor since 1978. Brown's background includes a foundation of artistic experience that began in childhood. Daily exposure to and interaction with emerging and established artists helped build a fascination with the creative process, and began a lifelong artistic exploration.

11). Historic Halifax State Historic Site Celebrate 234 years of American independence from Great Britain on Monday, April 12, at the annual Halifax Day festivities held in Halifax. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors may join in a colorful remembrance at Historic Halifax, site of the April 12, 1776 vote by North Carolina’s Provincial Congress to separate from the British Crown. The program will feature colonial-costumed interpreters, living history demonstrations, “hands-on” activities and demonstrations for young and old, and historic building tours.