ncmuseums

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

Monday, December 31, 2012

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 31, 2012



1). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Multiple cannon blasts will mark the commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher on January 19, 2013, when Fort Fisher State Historic Site hosts “Sheppard's Battery: Confederates Defending the Left Flank,” a living history program that focuses on the Confederate defenders at Sheppard’s Battery and at the fort’s “Bloody Gate.” Civil War re-enactors will set up displays of camp life and talk with visitors about the life of the Confederate infantry and artillery troops during the January 1865 campaign. Throughout the day, infantry and artillery units will conduct drills and firing demonstrations, including the site’s rifled and banded 32 pound cannon atop Sheppard’s Battery. The program is free and will be held from 10 am to 4 pm.

2). Joel Lane Museum House Tom Beaman will speak on "Colonial Era “Aerial Photography:” The Archaeology of Claude Joseph Sauthier NC Town Maps" on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at 7 pm at the Visitors Center at 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required.

3). Tryon Palace presents “Splendors from Afar: Twelfth Night with the Stanlys” on Saturday, January 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. $40 per adult, $35 per Council of Friend Member. Join the Stanly Family at their elegant Twelfth Night party – January 5th, 1813. The evening will begin with an historically inspired dinner followed by a Regency Twelfth Night celebration in the Stanly House complete with traditional entertainments. Who knows? You may even be crowned King or Queen of the evening! This event is designed for adults; reservations and prepayment required by January 3.

4). HandsOn! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come be as curious as a monkey with us! All week long, Tuesday, January 15th – Friday, January 18th you can engage in activities & programs that will stimulate your curiosity. All week long hang a banana on our curiosity tree. On Wednesday, Jan. 16th, there will be a Book n’ Craft program at 11 am featuring a reading of "Curious George" by H. A. Rey and a monkey craft. Continue your curiosity on Thursday, January 17th with a monkey critter craft. Come in this week and enter to win a give-away of Curious George CDs.(The winner will be drawn at the end of the day on Friday, January 18th. You do not have to be present to win).

5). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort January 16-17, Observe the migration of wintering waterfowl at Lake Mattamuskeet and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Join Associate Museum Curator Benjamin Wunderly and staff from the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center for this annual birding trip. This is an overnight field trip and requires pre-registration. Reservations are $60 not including hotel and meals.

6). Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center is proud to announce its new exhibition “John Urbain: No Ideas but in Things”, opening Friday, January 18, 2013 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The project includes a retrospective exhibition of Urbain’s paintings and collages (including selected work from BMC), a publication, and a rich array of public programming, all designed to honor and recognize Urbain, sharing his work with a diverse audience in the WNC region and beyond. The opening reception will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 pm on Friday, January 18th. Admission is free for members and students, $3 for non-members.

7). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Due to popular demand, the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (NSC) is extending the run of the “Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato” traveling exhibit until January 20, 2013. The Natural Science Center is also excited to announce a new reduced admission price available to all visitors starting December 29th and running through the three-week extension period. Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato made its East Coast U.S. debut at the Natural Science Center in July and has been popular among people of all ages as well as school groups.

8). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents “Aquarist Apprentice” on Saturday, January 12, 2013, 2012 at 2 p.m and Saturday, January 26, 2013, 2012 at 2 p.m. Check out a dirty job you’re sure to love. Join staff on a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about Aquarium animals, what they eat, how they live, and how to care for them. Then assist aquarists with food preparation and help feed the animals. Participants also observe aquarists during daily care and maintenance tasks. This limited opportunity is only open to 10 participants.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 27, 2012




1). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort Come countdown to the New Year with the Museum on December 31st . Sailors and Pirates have traveled the world for hundreds of years, celebrating the New Year in many different countries. Join the Museum staff every hour from 9 am to 5 pm on New Year's Eve to celebrate the arrival of 2013 as it happens around the world! This event is part of the Crystal Coast Countdown, a series of programs held throughout Carteret County to celebrate the New Year.

2). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Ring in the New Year at Old North State Winery on Monday December 31 from 9pm - 12:30am. Music throughout the evening with Mediocre Bad Guys Live on the 1st Floor and a DJ by Sugarbear Productions on the 2nd Floor with a Champagne Toast at Midnight! That's two parties; one price! Tickets are available at the Museum (336-786-4478) or at the Winery (336-789-9463) $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Get your tickets early as space is limited. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Museum. This party is sponsored by B&L Custom Jewelers, Cutting Edge Tile and Grout Cleaning Service and Old North State Winery.

3). High Point Museum presents “Soap Making in the Historical Park” on Saturday, January 12, 10 am to 4 pm. What role did ashes play in making soap during the 18th century? Come find out while you watch our costumed interpreters make homemade lye soap. All ages welcome. FREE. Drop-in.

4). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA  presents “Hidden Battleship” on January 12, 2013. Times: 8:30 – 12:30 pm, 1:30 – 5:30 pm, $50 per person. $45 for Friends members or active military. For the explorer at heart, bring a friend and join us for a unique, behind-the-scenes tour of un-restored areas of the Battleship. The four-hour tour consists of small groups with guides. Guests explore the bow (officers' country and boatswain locker), third deck (Radio II, brig, after gyro, storage rooms, ammunition handling, Engineer's office, torpedo area), Engine room #1, and climb inside the fire control tower to the top of the ship. The Azalea Coast Radio Club will be in Radio II to explain their work on the ship's radio transmitters. It’s the tour that brings out the “Indiana Jones” in all of us, without the snakes!

5). HandsOn! Come into Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, on Friday, December 28th all day and learn the science & art of rocks. Paint on rocks using the water from our mountain stream- let it dry and do it again! Peer through a stereoscope to investigate fascinating rocks & minerals at our Science Cart. Fun for all ages. Free with $5.00 admission fee and free for members.

6). Museum of the Albemarle Singer/songwriter and recording artist, Jeanne Jolly one of North Carolina’s own will take the stage in the Gaither Auditorium on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City. Opening for Jolly will be Sutter’s Cold Star Band that features some of your favorite local musicians. The ticketed show begins at 7:00 PM with tickets available in advance at $15 for FOMOA Members or $20 for Nonmembers.

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Sometime in the near future, when we least expect it, they will come. Cities will burn. Mankind will panic. Our world will tremble. You must see “Five Million Years to Earth” before it’s too late. Lucky for you, it is showing at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on First Friday, January 4 at 7pm. Even luckier, it’s free. While digging a new subway line in London, a construction crew discovers an unusual skeleton and an alien space ship that has powerful psychic effects on the people nearby. A detailed study of the artifacts leads scientists to form some shocking conclusions about the origin of the human race. “Five Million Years to Earth” (1967, originally “Quatermass and the Pit”) is one of three films based on Nigel Kneale's “Quatermass” British sci-fi TV series.

8). N.C. Transportation Museum  The N.C. Transportation Museum is pleased to host a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution and the N.C. Humanities Council. The “Journey Stories” exhibit opens Jan. 5 with a reception for invited guests. The exhibit is free to anyone to view during its six week appearance at the museum, through Feb. 16. Regular museum admission applies to view other exhibits and to ride the on-site train. Journey stories are tales of how we and our ancestors came to America, a central element of our personal heritage.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 17, 2012
1). HandsOn! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come listen to the holiday classic book, "Gingerbread Boy" and create a book themed craft at Book n’ Craft on Wednesday, December 19th at 11am. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. Sponsored by Reid & Reid, Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.

2). Cameron Art Museum An icon of the 1920s, named "the first American Flapper" by her husband, Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (July 24, 1900 – March 10, 1948) longed to be known as something other than just the wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. For years after their marriage and up until her death, Zelda threw herself into several creative outlets including dance, writing and painting. This exhibition explores the artwork of Zelda Fitzgerald with 32 framed artworks created from 1927 through the late 1940s, on loan from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and Ms. Eleanor Lanahan, granddaughter of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, along with reproductions of historical photographs from the F. Scott Fitzgerald Papers of Princeton University Library. This exhibition is on view December 18, 2012-March 10, 2013.

3). Cape Fear Museum As North Carolina commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Cape Fear Museum explores how people in the Lower Cape Fear region experienced the nation’s most significant conflict. “Fragments of War”, now open, combines the stories of wartime symbols with the more intimate histories of some local men who served in the Confederate military. How did flags like the Museum’s 34-star United States flag and Confederate Second National Flag become emblems of rebellion and loyalty? After exploring the exhibit, families can discover what life was like in the 1860s in the Learning Center on December 22 and 29.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher whips up a little holiday magic with a North Pole native. While the elves prepare for upcoming festivities, Santa plans to sneak in a little last minute fun with his marine friends at the Aquarium. Catch Santa in his scuba gear diving with rays, eels and sharks during the Aquarium’s scheduled dive shows at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012 and at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Dive shows are free with Aquarium admission.

5). Museum of the Albemarle  Children and adults can experience “A Polar Express Adventure” at the Museum of the Albemarle. The Albemarle Railroad Club’s O scale train display of the Polar Express will provide an adventure for all. The Polar Express will stop at Billy’s house and make its way over the mountains to get to the North Pole. A miniature Christmas village will greet you when you step into the lobby where one will discover American Flyer S Gauge model trains. The Albemarle Railroad Club is raffling a Santa Fe MTH O Scale Freight set for a $2.00 donation. The drawing will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm.

Monday, December 10, 2012

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 10, 2012
1). Asheville Art Museum (www.ashevilleart.org) On December 15, 2012, the Asheville Art Museum will debut two important and evocative exhibitions recognizing the history and haunting memory of Nazi Germany during World War II and the legacy of those who survived. Survivors and Liberators: Portraits by Wilma Bulkin Siegel and In the Camps: Photographs by Erich Hartmann will be on view in the Museum’s East Wing beginning Saturday, December 15, 2012 with an opening reception taking place on the evening of Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (free with membership or regular Museum admission).

2). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Pre-Schooler Time” on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 10:00 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will discover how children celebrated Christmas during the Civil War, read a Christmas book and participate in a hands-on activity.

3). HandsOn! (www.handsonwnc.org) the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come be part of Critter Craft on Thursday, December 20th. Visitors of all ages can make a Santa's pet dog. This is a drop-in, self–directed activity in our Party Room. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. Critter Craft is sponsored by the Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital.

4). Discovery Place KIDS (http://www.discoveryplacekids.org/) presents “Polar Express: Toot! Toot!” on December 13. Board The Polar Express with us while we read this heartwarming story. Little conductors will chug along on an adventure at our train table and make their own special bell to ring throughout the holiday season. Daily activities take place from 11:15-11:45 a.m. and 2:15-2:45 p.m.

5). Cape Fear Museum (www.capefearmuseum.com) presents “Cape Fear Skies: Earth, Moon, and Sun” on Sunday, December 16th, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 PM. Parental participation is required, free for members or with Museum admission. Venture into our portable planetarium and investigate how Earth, the moon, and the sun work together. Observe eclipses, moon phases, and more. Cape Fear Skies offers your family a realistic planetarium experience the third Sunday of each month. Venture into outer space as you hear mythical tales and explore stars, planets, and more.

6). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences (http://naturalsciences.org) Smartphone-packing high-school students are bombarded by electronic distractions daily, so they need to be entertained and to feel empowered while being introduced to a topic in science. There is no greater entertainment and no greater power than the natural world. Join us online Thursday, December 13 from 1 to 2pm (EST) for “E.O. Wilson’s Global Town Hall,” with celebrated biologist Edward Osborne Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will be hosting and streaming Wilson’s presentation, in which he plans to show that the exploration of biodiversity is now cutting-edge science, and to explain why this subject is destined to be increasingly supported due to its importance in medicine and environment.

7). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (www.northcarolinamuseum.org) Tour four floors of museum exhibits, view our themed Christmas trees, shop for holiday gifts, plus enjoy light refreshments and a special performance at 1:30 by Briana Duensing, a senior piano major at UNC School of the Arts. In honor of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Briana as "Bonnie Blue Briana," will play selections of patriotic songs, music celebrating victories, slave songs often with code words about escaping to freedom, and songs of mourning and longing for home and peace. Music played a big part in the lives of Civil War soldiers and the people at home so Briana's performance will also include storytelling interspersed with musical selections. As an added bonus, MAPS - Mount Airy Professionals of Surry, will be hosting "Cookies with Santa" from 3 to 5pm. For a small monetary donation or a canned food, you can have your photo made with Santa! Holiday Open House is Free to the public.

8). SECCA (www.secca.org) presents “World @ SECCA: Matijcio on Narracje Festival” on Thursday, December 13, 7 pm, FREE. Join SECCA Curator Steven Matijcio for an illustrated recap of the video art festival he recently curated in Gdansk, Poland: art thou gone, beloved ghost? Through video and photographic documentation, Matijcio will provide a virtual tour of the many installations and experiences that went into this city-wide exhibition featuring 17 international artists. This event is free and open to the public.

9). NC Preservation Consortium (http://www.ncpreservation.org/) ) is accepting applications for preservation grants from libraries, museums, archives, historic sites, and other collection institutions in our state. The application deadline is February 1, 2013. Applicants must be institutional members of NCPC. The maximum award is $2,000. Grants may be used for preservation assessments, consultations, equipment, supplies, training, projects, and conservation treatments. For more information and access to the application go to: http://www.ncpreservation.org/grants.html.

10). Bennett Place State Historic Site (http://www.nchistoricsites.org/bennett/) presents “Christmas in the Carolinas” on Dec. 15 & 16: Saturday 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday 10 am - 3 pm. Living history demonstration depicts how Christmas was celebrated on a North Carolina Piedmont farm during the Civil War. Ole St. Nick will make a visit to the farm, and children will have the chance to speak with Santa about their Christmas lists. The traditional roasting of the hogs head and other mid-19th century living history demonstrations will be performed.

Monday, December 03, 2012

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 3, 2012


1). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort Try your hand at kayak fishing December 6th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Even though it seems too cold to be out on the water the fish are still biting, especially the speckled trout. Come learn some techniques for fishing from a kayak in the marshes around Beaufort, fishing rod and North Carolina Coastal Recreation fishing license required, registration and fee necessary. If you’d rather stay on land and learn something new then sign up for a traditional boatbuilding carpentry class at the Watercraft Center, December 8th and 9th. Participants will build a small flat-bottomed skiff by “rack of eye” (without plans). Pre-registration and fee required.

2). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Families of the Triad are invited to come out to the only holiday event in town that offers a breakfast, opportunities to meet and touch animals, a 3D show, festive activities and photo ops with Santa! The Natural Science Center's 3rd annual “Santa Safari” holiday event will take place Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Tickets to Santa Safari are limited, so we recommend guests purchase in advance. Prices are $10/person for Natural Science Center Members ages 3+ and $15/person for the general public ages 3+. Children 2 and under are FREE. Admission includes food, drink, activities, shows, photo ops with Santa (must bring your own camera) and exclusive access to the Museum and Animal Discovery Zoo.

3). Tryon Palace presents “Christmas Candlelight Celebration” on Dec. 8 & 15, 2012, 5 pm - 9 pm. Governor Tryon cordially invited you to a grand masquerade in the Governor's Palace with decorations inspired by his wife Margaret Wake Tryon's childhood in Bombay, India, you'll experience firsthand early America's fascination with cultures from afar through vivid and exotic decorations, masked characters, and historic entertainment. The evening ends with a grand illumination behind the Governor's Palace. Call 252-639-3524 for reservations and group bookings. Tickets will be set aside for specific tour time slots.

4). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History The final Storybook Museum for 2012 is on Friday December 7 from 10am – 11am. Join us for fun and fantasy as we explore history and nature through books, activities and more! Come have Cookies and Milk with Santa and tell him your Christmas wishes. This FREE program is intended for preschool-age children.

5). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Join us in celebrating the season as Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, NC, holds its Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 6, 2012, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. in the visitor’s center. This event is free and open to the public. Enjoy seasonal refreshments, decorations, and entertainment throughout the day, including musical performances by the Murray Middle School Jazz Band guaranteed to delight. For the history lover on your shopping list, special discounts will be offered on all Fort Fisher museum shop merchandise for this one day only. Stock up on everything from Battery Buchannan Blend coffee to unique Christmas tree ornaments.

6). Hands On! invites you to come to the 3rd class of a brand new program. “Learning Spanish -Creatively” will be held on Friday, December 14th, 2012 at 11am. Students will learn basic Spanish vocabulary and colors through games, dramatic play, movement and songs for this 3 week series: November-December series is “Feliz Navidad and Action Words”. Repetition is very important for children to learn a language. The class is taught by Colleen Schnitzer a freelance theatre, Spanish instructor and mother of three. Colleen has taught theatre from Seattle to North Carolina and most recently at Kanuga Conference Center. Hands On! is thrilled that Colleen is s haring her talents at the museum.

7). Asheville Art Museum The Museum’s Holiday Market will conclude on Sunday, December 9, with a “Reception and Silent Auction” from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Shop and Atrium. Guests will be treated to art demonstrations, books signings, light refreshments and exceptional auction items on which to bid in support of the Museum. Meanwhile, families and children are invited to a Family Art pARTy! from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. featuring guided art activities in the Museum studio with Asheville artist Kenn Kotara. The Reception, Silent Auction and Family Art pARTy! are open to the public and free of admission charge.

8). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences I was born 10 days ago. A full-grown man born 10 days ago. I woke on a street of this city. I don’t know who I am or where I’ve been. But I know where I’m going. To the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to watch “The Outer Limits: Demon with the Glass Hand” on First Friday, December 8 at 7pm. Free. The Museum and the new Nature Research Center stay open from 5 to 9 pm on the First Friday of every month, inviting visitors to witness a (classic) sci-fi or horror movie, wander through eye-catching exhibits, or enjoy food and beverages at the Daily Planet Café.

9). SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is proud to present “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show to close the second season of the Crossroads @ SECCA concert series. The concert will be held Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and the show will begin at 3 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale beginning at 1 p.m. A Southern grits bar and cocktail, created by Sundance Plaza Hotel Chef Derrick McCorkle, will be available for purchase before the show.

10). Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site presents “Christmas Candlelight Tours” on Tuesday & Thursday, Dec. 4 & 6, from 6:30 - 9 pm. Enjoy the sounds of the season with the Primitvie Baptist Singers (Dec 4) and the Victorian Carolers (Dec 6). Participate in a shadow play in a one-room school! Learn about 19th-century Christmas traditions from costumed docents as you tour the historic home and kitchen. Watch a costumed docent demonstrate open-hearth cooking, and warm up by sampling some apple cider. Admission is free, and open to the public.