NCMC Events From Around the State… February 14, 2011

1). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: “Perukes, Pates, and Periwigs: Wigs in 18th-century Fashion” on Wednesday, February 16, 12:00 p.m. Speaker: Nancy Packer, Tryon Palace Director of Collections and Chief Curator North Carolina History Center - Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. For over a century, wealthy and even not-so-wealthy Americans and Europeans regularly shaved their heads, then re-covered them with elaborate, costly, and often uncomfortable wigs. What lay behind the all-consuming passion for wigs in 18th-century culture? Learn more about the truths, myths, and curious facts about wigs in 18th-century fashion.

2). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present a lecture and Museum tour titled “Whistler as Printmaker: From Realism to Impressionism and Beyond” on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Forum of Pack Place and the Asheville Art Museum. Kenneth Myers, Chief Curator and Curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, will discuss the three major phases in Whistler’s career as a printmaker which culminated in the famous prints he completed in Venice in 1879 and 1880 and the great late etchings he completed in Amsterdam in 1889.

3). Charlotte Nature Museum Little scientists are needed to join a nationwide Citizen Science bird counting effort right in Charlotte’s very own backyard! Join us for a feathered world of fun at Charlotte Nature Museum’s February “Creature Feature” event “Great Backyard Bird Count”, Saturday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. As part of a national study project at Cornell University, this annual event engages bird-watchers nationwide to count birds and tally the species observed in order to investigate trends in bird populations, migrations habitats and more.

4). Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson will re-introduce two historical time periods when it presents “Wanted: Preparing for War: the 146th Anniversary of the Fall of Ft. Anderson and the 245th Anniversary of the Stamp Act Crisis” this February 19-20, 2011. Highlights of the two-day program include special guided tours of Battery B (normally closed to the public) and a presentation by Dr. Chris Fonvielle on “Building Up for War: Constructing the Cape Fear Defenses.” The living history program is free and will feature Civil War infantry and artillery demonstrations, sutlers (vendors), a blacksmith, and a period photographer. That evening, historians in period costume will participate in vignettes that recall the 1765 -1766 Stamp Act Rebellion in the Cape Fear region. The Stamp Act program will be interactive with audience participation.

5). Guilford College Art Gallery presents “Stickworks at Guilford College - Artist’s Talk”. Acclaimed environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty will give a talk about his work, Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m. in Bryan Jr. Auditorium, Frank Family Science Center, on the Guilford campus. Dougherty will reflect on his experiences building a monumental, site-specific, sapling sculpture at Guilford College, and will share anecdotes about some of the more than 200 other temporary sculptures he has built around the world.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Learn about and explore the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA's power house of armament at the “Firepower Program” on February 19, 2011, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. This all day event is a stimulating program that will discuss the Ship's 16-inch and 5-inch guns from the gun houses to the ammunition loading compartments; the 40mm and 20mm guns, and the weapons that they replaced (1.10 and 50 caliber guns).

7). Port Discover Preschoolers will learn about how their hearts work, what food helps their hearts stay healthy, and more during “Keeping the Beat!” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, February 17 at 10:00 am. Children will discover how to create their own stethoscopes. “Keeping the Beat!” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by University Health Systems Foundation and Albemarle Hospital Foundation. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts “Lunch and Learn” Wednesday, February 16th, 12noon. Join installation artist, David Meyer, as he discusses his newest work from the exhibition Into the Void. Meyer's work explores many aspects of the human condition in relationship to the physical world through a unique approach to materials and objects. His work ranges from installations to simple objects that compel the viewer to take a second look. Bring a bagged lunch and we will provide bottled water.

9). Museum of the Albemarle “Pre-Schooler Time” will be held on Thursday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 16, 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. Children will discover the different traditions of Valentine’s over the years, read a book, view Valentine Cards from the Museum’s collection and participate in a hands-on activity. Free family program.

10). Historic Halifax State Historic Site The town of Halifax and its connection to the maritime Underground Railroad will be highlighted Saturday, Feb. 19, with a program at 2 p.m. in the Historic Halifax visitor center. Michelle Lanier, Curator of Multicultural Initiatives with the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites, will give a presentation on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a program directed by the National Park Service to identify significant sites where enslaved African Americans made attempts to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. The Roanoke River in North Carolina has been designated as a route to freedom along the network (http://www.nps.gov/history/ugrr/).