NCMC Events From Around the State… July 8, 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). History Mythbusting Workshop at Historic Stagville on August 10th. For those in the NCMC History Section interested in networking with fellow interpreters and discussing how to identify and avoid history myths, Historic Stagville is offering a half-day workshop featuring archivists from the Southern Historical Collection, curatorial staff from the NC Division of Historic Sites, and Mary Miley Theobald, author of the History Myths Debunked blog and "Death By Petticoat." Please call (919) 620-0120 or email jeremiah.degennaro@ncdcr.gov for more information or to register.  Space is limited.

3). Bellamy Mansion announces the opening of their new exhibit “Images of Distinction” on Tuesday, July 9th. Each year, Cape Fear Camera Club holds a regional competition that results in a spectacular photographic exhibit. In 2013, that exhibit will be available to the public in the gallery spaces of the Bellamy Mansion museum from July 9 - August 23. For admission pricing, please visit www.bellamymansion.org/visit-bellamy-mansion.htm.

4). President James K. Polk State Historic Site hosts its second of three 2nd Saturday programs this Saturday, July 13th – Folk at Polk.  Come and explore the diverse music traditions of 19th century North Carolina. Local area folk musicians, including Dr. Tom Hanchett from the Levine Museum of the New South, will be on hand to play a variety of time period music. Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Admission: Free.

5). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort - Join us for our 2nd Saturdays celebration on July 13^th, part of a North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources series held at historic sites and museums across the state. This event will showcase usual and unusual things that you can find while beachcombing! There will be displays of every seashell found in North Carolina. Learn about sea beans and where they come from! Local artisans will also be set up on the front patio. This event is free and will be held from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m.

6). Discovery Place invites you to “Explore Nano!” on Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Explore science at the nanoscale with Professor Tom Schmedake from UNC Charlotte’s Department of Chemistry and researchers from the NanoSURE REU program, a research experience for undergraduates sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  Visitors will be able to design a new molecule, play with nanocoated materials, check out the nano exhibit, and even repeat a Nobel Prize winning experiment. Level 2; Free with Museum admission.

7). Hands On! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, presents “Wiggle with Worms” on Tuesday, July 16th from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Ages 6-10; younger, if accompanied by adult. Get hands-on with these fascinating creatures of the dirt! Hold worms, hunt for worm eggs, and create worm crafts. $16 non-members/$10 members. Limited spaces. Call to sign-up. Sponsored by the Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital.

8). NC Transportation Museum will be hosting a new traveling exhibit: Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge appearing July 19 - August 31. The Queen Anne’s Revenge will present real items from the shipwreck of Blackbeard the Pirate’s ship. It will be available to all visitors with regular museum admission tickets.  Check the web site for all the special activities being held during this exciting event.  "Avast, me hearties! All hands ahoy!"

9). The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences would like to thank and celebrate the members of our military through its own Military Appreciation Week, July 21–27. During that week, the Museum is offering all active, reserve or retired military and their families discounted tickets to the current special exhibit (Dinosaurs in Motion), as well as discounted store merchandise and Museum memberships. The week will also feature special presentations from area scientists, including NC State University’s Tyson Wepprich, who researches a species of butterfly found only within the boundaries of Ft. Bragg Army Base, and Museum ornithologist John Gerwin, who will talk about common birds found in and around military bases of eastern North Carolina.  The Museum is open Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm; and Sunday 12–5pm. General Admission is FREE. A full schedule of Military Appreciation Week presentations and other related events will soon be available at www.naturalsciences.org.  Visitors must show Military ID to receive discounts.

10). The Museum of the Albemarle presents “Archaeology 101 for Children” on Wednesday, July 24th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Various stations will be set up to explain that artifacts have a meaning or a story to tell, the tools and methods used by archaeologists, how artifacts are recovered in a systematic fashion and how organized records are kept of finds, and the aspect of processing and interpreting artifacts from a site.  Also, become familiar with various vessels that either were used or have wrecked or sunk in the Albemarle region.  Discover what some local archaeologists have uncovered in their own backyard. Visitors will participate in archaeological activities. Free family program. For more information, please contact 252-335-1453.