ncmuseums

An occasional list of exhibits, programs, and events at North Carolina museums. Sponsored by the North Carolina Museums Council.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 28, 2010

1). Somerset Place State Historic Site Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell will present the lecture "The Impact and Implication of the Civil War from the Enslaved Person's Perspective: Forced to Aid My Enemies' Cause", on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. This program is a part of N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration. Former site manager Dot Redford will speak.

2). Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow will present local historian Jack Travis, who will speak on "Jumping the Gun: The January 1861 Captures of Forts Caswell and Johnston" on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 7-9 p.m. Travis is the author of “Men of God, Angels of Death: A History of General Lee’s Premier Artillery Battery.” This program is a part of N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration.

3). Tryon Palace presents “Twelfth Night with the Stanlys” on Wednesday, January 5, 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Stanly House - $10 per adult. The Stanly family cordially invites you to attend their grand Twelfth Night party – January 5th, 1803. Join in the festivities with traditional entertainments followed by light refreshments. Who knows, you may even be crowned the King and Queen of the evening! This event is designed for adults; reservations and prepayment required by January 3. Payments received after December 17th by credit card only. Call 252-639-3524 to register.

4). N.C. Museum of History presents “Marching with Washington’s Army” on Saturday, January 15, 1-4 p.m. Learn about the daily life of a Revolutionary War soldier as members of the Raleigh Chapter, N.C. Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, interpret their experiences.

5). N.C. Museum of Art presents “Family Fun Saturday: What Time Is It?”, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families explore the galleries to look and connect with works of art that focus on circles; then it’s back to the studios to create their own original art based on the theme. Preregistration is required; call (919) 664-6785. Ages 4–84+

6). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Ring in the New Year with the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History at Old North State Winery. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. RainJacket will perform, champagne toast at midnight. Call 336-786-4478 or 789-9463 to purchase tickets. All ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Museum.

7). Museum of the Albemarle The Education Department at the Museum of the Albemarle is adding new programming especially for grandparents and their grandchildren. The first of these programs will be “The Grandparent Files” held on Sunday, January 9, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this program grandparents will learn from our Collections Department techniques to properly care for the special mementos collected as their grandchildren grow. Grandchildren present will be able to make special memories that may be included in the grandparent files.

8). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher It is time to celebrate turtles…all year long! The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be promoting Partners in Amphibians and Reptiles Conservation’s (PARC) 2011 Year of the Turtle by offering special turtle programs the second day of every month starting on January 2, 2011. Turtles on the Two’s will focus on turtles, both freshwater and saltwater species. Visitors will gain a better understanding about turtles, and see why these shelled animals are so loved at the Aquarium!

9). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Silly Saturday - Pirate Day!” on January 8th from 10a-4pm. Shiver Me Timbers Matey! Grab your eye patch, parrot, & pegleg for GCM’s first Silly Saturday of 2011. Dress like a pirate! Swash-buckling activities include talk like a pirate contest, best family of pirates costumes, & coconut bowling. Don’t miss out or you’ll have to walk the plank!

Monday, December 20, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 20, 2010

1). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: “Twelfth Night Traditions” on Monday, January 3rd at 12:00pm with speaker Karen Ipock, Tryon Palace Curator of Education. North Carolina History Center - Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a well-known holiday carol, but in the 18th and early 19th centuries, it was much more. The twelve days following December 25th were marked by religious services, feasting and revelry — culminating in a grand Twelfth Night party that marked the end of the holiday season. Learn more about these traditions in this luncheon lecture.

2). High Point Museum presents “Junior Senior Prom – Third Annual Benefit for the High Point Museum” on Thursday, January 6, 6 pm to 10 pm. Enjoy an extraordinary evening with friends, entertainment and fabulous food in the unique environment of High Point University The University Center. High Point Historical Society hosts its third Annual Benefit for the High Point Museum. $50 for Historical Society members and $75 for non-members.

3). N.C. Museum of History presents “Washington’s Will: A Final Farewell to His Nation” – a part of the George Washington Lecture Series, sponsored by the Museum Associates – on Thursday, January 6th, at 7:00 p.m. Jill DeWitt, Assistant Curator at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, will present this lecture. Tickets are $12 per lecture.

4). N.C. Museum of Art “Fins and Feathers: Original Children’s Book Illustrations from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art”, on view through January 30, 2011. “Fins and Feathers” celebrates the artistic achievements of children’s book artists with 33 original picture book illustrations from the late 1960s through today. “Fins and Feathers” features some of the best works from the collection of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, in Amherst, Massachusetts.

5). Asheville Art Museum Join the Asheville Art Museum for a film screening of “First Works” on Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This event is free with Museum Membership or Museum admission. In the film First Works, a diverse group of now well-known film directors such as Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee and Ron Howard discuss what it was like to direct their first film and what inspires them to continue, despite changes in the film industry. After the film, view artwork in all four of the Museum’s galleries. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “The Director’s Cut I: 1995 – 2010”.

6). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts has updated their website just in time for the new year. The website’s new layout is easy to read, user friendly and includes all up-to-date information on the happenings at the Turchin Center! Visit www.tcva.org check out the new look and find out more information about the current exhibitions that opened on December 3, 2010. “The Hemlocks! The Hemlocks!: Grief and Celebration” by Lowell Hayes and “In the Void” Sculpture by David Meyer will be on display at the Turchin Center through March 19, 2011.

7). Duke Eye Center, Touchable Art Gallery presents “Art Beyond Sight Awareness”, Student Art Exhibit, featuring art by North Carolina students with visual impairments extended through January 14, 2011. We have an extraordinary opportunity to extend this exhibition in both our Touchable Art Gallery and Connector Gallery for 10 days in January. Both galleries will be open weekdays January 4-14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for visitors to experience this exhibit through touch and sight.

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Music Makers – The Mozart Experience” on Saturday, January 8 10:00am-3:00pm. Play musical instruments, make a powdered wig, dress up and meet members of the North Carolina Symphony! This is our new Music Makers series, in partnership with the North Carolina Symphony.

9). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Stories from a pirate’s life continue to unfold as artifacts are recovered and conserved from the wreck of the presumed Queen Anne’s Revenge (QAR), Blackbeard’s flagship, off the North Carolina coast. A media event at the QAR Conservation Lab at East Carolina University on Dec. 14 at noon previewed some of the objects. Artifacts from the fall expedition at the shipwreck site, along with artifacts being transferred to the N.C. Maritime Museum (NCMM) in Beaufort, were shown. A major exhibit of “Queen Anne’s Revenge” artifacts will open at the Maritime Museum in June 2011.

Monday, December 13, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 13, 2010

1). Bellamy Mansion presents African-American History Day with Jonkonnu Celebration on Saturday, December 18th from 11am-2pm. Grab the family and attend this free 3-hour event. Come early at 11 AM to make a mask so you can join in the fun; then stay to hear story tellers and Sarah, the enslaved Bellamy cook, tell about her life in the kitchen. Learn about and participate in the Jonkonnu parade and celebration scheduled for 12:30.

2). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold History Tales: Make It, Take It on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 3:30 pm. Elementary age students accompanied by an adult will discover different Christmas traditions, share some of their own Christmas traditions and participate in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public.

3). Port Discover Port Discover’s Afterschool Science presents 1 + 1 Equals Achoo!, a children’s health awareness program on Thursday, December 16 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Dr. Maille Lyons, from Old Dominion University, presents the unique interactive game illustrating how sickness can spread through a community. Children will also learn what can be done to prevent the germs from spreading and stay healthy!

4). Reynolda House Museum of American Art On a cold, crisp November morning in 1930s Alabama, young Truman Capote and his friend Sook woke up, announcing, “It’s fruitcake weather!” So begins A Christmas Memory, the beloved play performed annually at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. This year’s performance of the holiday favorite will be Sunday, December 19 at 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for members and students, $12 for non-members. For information and to purchase tickets, please call 336.758.5150.

5). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum invites you to enjoy the season with a Holiday Art Camp Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. The cost is $18 per day for Museum Members and $20 per day for Non-Members. Take a break over the holidays and sign your art enthusiasts up for one or all four days of hands-on fun at the Museum’s Holiday Arts Extravaganza! Campers will spend their afternoons creating art of all kinds in the bright and sunny studio at the Asheville Art Museum. Pre-registration is required.

6). Cape Fear Museum
presents Learning Center: Toy Science on Saturday, December 18. Explore toys that spin, balance and roll to uncover the scientific principles involved in play. Why do tops spin? How does a yo-yo work? What makes toy cars move? Experiment with historic toys. Investigate the inventive process by creating your own toy to take home.

7). Town Creek Indian Mound Windy cold days, and long and colder nights are tough on birds, as summer’s lush vegetation has withered away and insects have died or gone dormant. Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site will help feed these feathered friends with its Christmas for the Birds free program on Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors can help create homemade pine cone bird feeders using suet and bird seed. They can also decorate trees along the site’s entrance with these festive “ornaments.”

8). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: The 18th-Century Holiday Table, Speaker: Matt Arthur, Tryon Palace Living History Coordinator on Tuesday, December 14, 12:00pm at the North Carolina History Center. Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. Feasts and parties were an integral part of the colonial and early American Christmas tradition. In this program, learn about the dishes and desserts that made for a joyous 18th-century holiday celebration.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 6, 2010

1). President James K. Polk State Historic Site Samuel and Jane Polk may well have provided holiday cheer to weary travelers along the major trading route near their home. Like those travelers, you can enjoy Christmas in Mecklenburg County with the Polk’s at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The free program will allow families today to “Make History This Holiday” as well. The traditional customs and foods of Christmas from the early 1800s will be on display, when future President Polk would have been 7 years old.

2). N.C. Historic Sites Costumed interpreters will provide the warmth and fun of A Heartfelt Christmas in a 1780 Christmas reminiscent of the Allen family on Dec. 11, from11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Alamance Battleground in Burlington. Also on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., A Colonial Christmas Open House at the House in the Horseshoe near Sanford will share crafts and cannon fire in a return to 1781 and the hope and excitement of the nascent nation. Visitors will “Make History This Holiday” when taking a short road trip to these two sites from the Revolutionary War period.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum will host a special film screening of Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This film is free with Museum Membership or admission. “Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks”, directed by Ken Burns, is a five-segment film within a film about how America’s National Parks are changing with time.

4). Bennett Place State Historic Site A merry and measured Civil War-era Christmas will be celebrated with pine cone and ribbon decorations, smoked ham and other seasonal delights on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham. The Christmas in the Carolinas During the Civil War program will present Christmas in the modest fashion of James and Nancy Bennett on the family farm, and will allow visitors to capture the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

5). Historic Edenton Christmas 1790 was very merry for James Iredell, who on Feb. 10, 1790, had been nominated as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. That good fortune would be celebrated through food and music, with treats of ham, pecan pie cookies, apple cider and more. Melodic tunes played on the violin would lighten the spirits of holiday visitors. Such a Christmas will be recreated at Historic Edenton State Historic Site on Dec. 10-11 from 1-5 p.m. at the annual Iredell House Groaning Board celebration. A “groaning board” and holiday music will capture the merriment at the home of the early justice and legal scholar.

6). Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Step into 1940s style at Canary Cottage, the home of the very correct Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, which will be decorated to the standards of the schoolmistress for the Dec. 12 Annual Christmas Open House, 1-5 p.m. The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum near Sedalia will display the simple elegance of bygone days at the private academy and allow visitors to experience the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

7). Reynolda House Museum of American Art Candlelight guided tours of historic Reynolda House will be Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11. Visitors can choose a guided tour at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments in the Babcock auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase before and after the tour. Tours feature stories about the Reynolds family holiday traditions, period decorations throughout the house, and carols played on the original Aeolian organ.

8). Museum of the Albemarle Pre-Schooler Time will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, December 9, 2010 and Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will learn various Christmas traditions, read a book and participate in a hands-on activity. This program is free to the public.

9). Tryon Palace presents Christmas Candlelight on Saturday, December 11 and 18, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold for specific tour time slots and are good for evening activities, only.$20 per adult, $10 per student. Experience an 18th-century candlelit Christmas celebration! The evening program includes a tour through the Palace (and perhaps a word or two with the Governor), performances by Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps and Jonkonnu troupe, and an assortment of other performers. The evening ends with a grand illumination over the South Lawn.

10). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Come celebrate the Christmas season at a Holiday Open House to be held Thursday evening, December 9, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher Chapter No. 2325, United Daughters of Confederacy, the open house will feature seasonal refreshments along with great discounts on everything in the gift shop for the special history lover on your Christmas list.