NCMC Events From Around the State… February 10, 2014

1). High Point Museum and High Point University have partnered to bring an exhibit to the Museum - "Out of the Woodwork” which is on display until February 28th.  The exhibit features 45 photographs from nine students focusing on the furniture industry. It highlights the individuals who work and make the furniture. 

2). The New Winston Museum presents “Now the Battle Din is O’er: The Last music played for General Lee”, by the band of the 4th Regiment NC Troops, and the last music played by the band of the 26th Regiment NC Troops, on Tuesday, February 18th at 12:0 0 p.m.  They will be hosting a performance and discussion featuring the Moravian Music Foundation’s Dr. Nola Knouse and Mr. Philip Dunigan, as well as UNCSA professor and Home Moravian Church’s Director of Music, Mr. Glenn Siebert.

3). Hands On!, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to Book n’ Craft on Wednesday, February 19^th at 11:00 a.m. All ages welcome. During the month of love, come listen to a wonderful book that teaches children to love their name – “Chyrsanthemum” by Kevin Henkes.  Free with $5 admission/Free for members.

4). NC Maritime Museum at Southport invites you to their Third Tuesday Evening Adult Program, “The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom” on Tuesday, February 18th, 7 – 9 p.m.  Dr. Melton McLaurin will discuss the racial discrimination faced by America’s first black Marines, both in the Corps and the civilian world, from World War II to Vietnam and their faith in and contributions to American democracy.  Dr. McLaurin is the author or co-author of ten books and numerous articles on various aspects of the history of the American South and race relations. Location: Southport Community Building, 223 East Bay St., Southport.  Program is free.  Call the Museum to register 910-457-0003.

5). The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will offer programs tailored especially for individuals who live with autism spectrum disorder on Sunday, February 16.  Autism Friendly Day programs and activities are free with Aquarium admission. The dive program, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., will include an educator assisting guests in finding animals in the Cape Fear Shoals, the 235,000 gallon exhibit featuring sharks, rays and a green sea turtle. A diver will briefly describe the found animals. Visitors also can collect seven Aquarium passport stamps to guide them through the Aquarium and help identify animal-touching opportunities. A calm-space to help provide comfort, relaxation and a break will be available to families and their children. The aquarium presents Autism Friendly Day with the assistance of the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program to better serve the needs and interests of children and adults living with autism.

6). The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA announces the program “Firepower!” on Saturday, February 15^th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m. Learn about and explore the Battleship'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). The finest guns are of little use without the means to direct their fire accurately at the target. Presenters will discuss the various types of fire control equipment (directors/optical range finders, radar, computers) and how main and secondary battery plotting rooms and the combat information center operated. Participants will enjoy a lively, engaging, in-depth program with presentations, hands-on experience, and serious exploration for adult learners.  The program is for adults only (ages 16 and up) and limited to 40 participants. It is not appropriate for those who may have difficulty climbing narrow ladders. Wear warm, comfortable, washable clothing, sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and bring a camera! Registration and payment are due by Thursday, February 13th.  Event is $95; $85 for Friends of the Battleship or active military. Program includes a box lunch. Call 910-251-5797 for reservations.

7). Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City is hosting “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future,” on view from February 11th through March 12th.  The exhibit focuses on Cherokee language and culture, using sound recordings as the basis for presenting a coherent story in words and text.  “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” was designed to include community input as a way to develop its content.  A community team held monthly discussions to develop the ideas and images that would make up the exhibit.  Major themes include Cherokee Homeland, Heritage Sites, Tourism, Family, and Community Celebrations.  The touring exhibit is sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in partnership with Cherokee Central Schools, Southwestern Community College, and Western Carolina University.  Funding was provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Slated to travel to ten sites in the region, the exhibit places cultural interpretation in locations frequented by the public.  “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” will later be on view at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Cashiers Symposium and Historical Society in Cashiers.  For more information, contact: Curatorial.InSight@gmail.com

8). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras invites you to “Sea Hearts for Valentine’s Day” on Friday, February 14, 6-8 p.m.  Youth soak in snippets of sea history while enjoying an evening of maritime crafts, a sea story and Valentine treats. You’ll hear a sailor’s related story, “The Legend of the Sea Heart.”   Ages 5- 12. Education Room.  Free admission.  Advance registration preferred.  252-986-2995, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, NC 27943. 

9). The Asheville Art Museum invites you to the lecture “Preserving New Media and the Role of the Art Museum” on Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m. Crystal Sanchez, guest curator of the Asheville Art Museum’s Robert and Ingrid Wiegand: An Electronic Medium exhibition, will discuss some of the best practices and major challenges in preserving and providing access to audiovisual collections, with a focus on fine artworks that are dependent on technology. With the growth of media art in the field of contemporary art, art museums are increasing their role in acquiring, installing, loaning and caring for media artworks. Based in film, video, audio, computer-based and digital technologies, these artworks require new practices and policies towards their conservation and preservation. Sanchez is a media archivist and digital preservation specialist at the Smithsonian Institution.

10). Bellamy Mansion Museum invites you to their special lecture “Slave Voices in North Carolina” on Thursday, February 13^th at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Lucinda MacKethan presents the personal narratives, letters, poetry, and interviews of North Carolina slaves and discusses how these works fill in a lost or often distorted picture of slavery in our state before the Civil War. The narratives of Moses Roper, Lunsford Lane, and Harriet Jacobs; the poetry of George Moses Horton; and interviews from the WPA narratives will be explored to give a realistic picture of how North Carolina slaves lived, worked, created families, worshipped, and sometimes escaped from bondage. Dr. MacKethan is an author, editor and specialist on the culture of the Old South. She recently retired as Alumni Distinguished Professor of English at NC State University, where she taught courses primarily in Southern and African American literature.  This lecture is free to the public with a suggested donation of $5 for educational programming.