NCMC Events From Around the State… June 10, 2013

1). A Special Invitation from the North Carolina Humanities Council: Host Smithsonian Institution's Hometown Teams in 2015.  The North Carolina Humanities Council and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service are pleased to announce “Hometown Teams” — an exciting Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition to tour North Carolina beginning in February 2015. Rural NC museums, libraries, historic sites, and historical societies are invited to apply as host sites by July 10, 2013. Sites will be determined by the end of September 2013. “Hometown Teams” is comprised of six content sections and an introduction; it requires 900 square feet of floor space, a ceiling height of 8.5 feet, and access to electrical outlets. More information, including the request for proposals is available at www.nchumanities.org.  Questions about “Hometown Teams”? Contact the North Carolina Humanities Council Program Director Darrell Stover at dstover@nchumanities.org or 336.334.5723.

2). Discovery Place will focus on marine animals this June in the their “Explore More Life Lab”.  Splash into a special exploration of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sireans, polar bears and more, and learn about the ways these creatures eat and survive. On Saturdays in June at 11:00 a.m., learn about ocean animals through comparative anatomy dissections in “Dissection Connection”.

3). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort - What a great time of year to be on the water! Sign up for a kayak trip with the Maritime Museum on June 13^th. Associate Curator Benjamin Wunderly will lead you through the salt marshes and sandbars around Beaufort. The sights and sounds of nature will be worth the paddle, the stories about early colonial settlers, local boat builders and old fishing fleets will be an added bonus. Pre-registration is required, please call (252)728-7317.

4). Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to host a book signing by Jamarica S. Jones, author of "Legacy In Words", a book of poetry, on Thursday, June 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Cleveland County Arts Council.  Mrs. Jones is a retired Public Health Nurse. Her poems are inspired by her family, her personal experiences, and the experiences of others.

5). Bellamy Mansion Museum announces that due to Tropical Storm Andrea, “Jazz at the Mansion” that was scheduled last week, will now take place on Thursday, June 13^th at 6:30 p.m.  Wonderful songstress Cindy Hospedales, sax virtuoso Daryll Murrill and the band A Step Above will be ready to entertain you with cool jazz!  Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for members, and $5 for students with ID. Available at the gate.

6). High Point Museum will offer a walking tour of Washington Street on Saturday, June 15^th at 9:00 a.m.  Tour will begin at Changing Tides Cultural Center – 613 Washington Street.  Local Historian Glenn Chavis will give the tour.  Washing Street was a thriving business and entertainment district for High Point’s black community during the period of segregation.  The tour, last approximately 90 minutes, is free of charge but is limited to 20 people so you must call to reserve your spot.  Call the museum at 336-885-1859 to register.

7). Asheville Art Museum opens a new exhibition, Legacy: The Emily Fisher Landau Collection, on Saturday, June 15^th. The exhibition features a selection of art works from a historic gift pledged to the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2010 by longtime trustee Emily Fisher Landau.  The exhibition will be celebrated with an Opening Reception on Saturday, July 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the North Wing of the Asheville Art Museum.

8). Hands On! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, presents “Local Food Day!” all day on Tuesday, June 18^th. Hendersonville Community Co-op coloring sheets, bumper stickers, handouts, snack. Free with $5.00 admission/free for members. Sponsored by the Hendersonville Community Co-op.

9). Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its 23^nd Annual Historic Independence Day Open House—An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration – on Thursday, July 4, 2013, 11 am to 4 p.m.  The house will be open and staffed by costumed docents who will be available to answer your questions. On the grounds, re-enactors will demonstrate various aspects of colonial life, and visitors will be able to participate in hands-on activities such as writing with a quill pen or making rag dolls. There will be old-fashioned crafts and games for the children and free lemonade for all. The garden in its full summer glory will be on view, and herbs and trees will be for sale. In addition to outdoor activities, the circa 1770 plantation manor house, the 1790 “kitchen” building, and the Visitors Center and Museum Shop will be open. For more information, visit the Joel Lane Museum House website at www.joellane.org, call (919) 833-3431 or e-mail joellane@bellsouth.net.

10). Charlotte Museum of History - During the American Revolution more battles happened in a 100 mile radius of Charlotte than in the other 13 colonies combined. To learn more fun facts like this, join us at the Charlotte Museum of History on July 4^th! Our event starts off at 10 AM when Tom Phlegar will give a talk on the Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, from 1780-1781, followed by readings of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence and the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Hear the American Freedom Bell Ring, a symbol of Charlotte’s revolutionary past, play colonial games, and learn more about Hezekiah Alexander, a Charlotte patriot, by touring his house. Our July 4^th celebration begins at 10 AM and lasts until 1 PM. General admission is $5 and parking is available in the lot at 3500 Shamrock Drive.

11). Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is pleased to announce that Jay Barnes, a Southport native, and renowned expert in the field of hurricane history, will speak about and sign his latest edition of North Carolina's Hurricane History on Thursday, July 18^th, at 7 p.m. Mr. Barnes will give his talk at the King Neptune Restaurant, 11 N. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach, NC. WBMH is pleased to be able to work with King Neptune to hold this event at the historic restaurant in the heart of old Wrightsville Beach.  

12). Smith-McDowell House announces Crafty Historian Event for Children on Saturday, July 20^th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the museum.  This month's event features the Little House on the Prairie theme with a crafty activity.  Older children may make a braided rug and younger children will make a small doll.  The "Crafty Historian", Museum Education Coordinator Lisa Whitfield, says "The braided rug takes a little fine motor coordination and include needle and thread as well as braiding skills. The small doll is made with yarn and only requires the ability to tie a knot!" The fee for this event is $3 for anyone making a craft. Reservations are required so that there will be enough supplies for everyone. Call 828-253-9231 or email education@wnchistory.org.