ncmuseums

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

Monday, April 28, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 28, 2014



1). North Carolina Preservation Consortium (www.ncpreservation.org) announces a special workshop, “Preserving Photograph Collections”, on June 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh, NC. Historical and fine art photographs can be found in many libraries, archives, museums, and historic sites.  Preserving these collections requires a deep knowledge of the various types of photographic media, chemical photographic processes, causes of deterioration of photographic materials, and photograph conservation science.  This workshop is an introduction to identifying and preserving 19th and 20th century photographs: daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, hand-colored silver gelatin prints, contemporary color, and digital photographs.  Strategies for preservation and best practices for proper handling, exhibition, and storage will be presented.  Participants are encouraged to bring photographic items of interest.  This workshop is designed for staff and volunteers in libraries, archives, museums, historic sites, and other heritage institutions with photograph collections.  Faculty and students in museum studies, library and information science, archives, and public history programs are also welcome to attend.  No prior training or experience is required.  The registration fee for this workshop is $50.00 for NCPC members and $75.00 for non-members.  The $75 fee comes with a year-long NCPC individual membership.   Registration covers lunch, refreshments, and supplies.  A registration form is available on the NCPC web site in the Events section.  

2). The Asheville Art Museum (www.ashevilleart.org) is offering a 7:00 p.m. curator-led tour of the exhibition Take 10: Collectors’ Circle 10th Anniversary for its First Friday Art Walk on May 2nd. Although all of the exhibitions are open to visitors during First Fridays, the Museum is focusing this event on its Take 10 exhibition, which celebrates the generosity of the Museum’s Collectors’ Circle, a membership group that encourages the exchange of ideas and interests, art learning, connoisseurship and collecting. The exhibition includes the work of artists related to Western North Carolina or who studied or taught at Black Mountain College (1933–1956), and features several fine handmade objects created in the region.  The Museum is pleased to offer a “Pay As You Wish” entrance fee from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for all of the First Friday Art Walks, which take place on the first Friday of each month through December 2014. More than 20 members of the Downtown Asheville Art District (galleries and museums representing many diverse types of art) participate in First Friday Art Walks — all venues are located within a walkable half mile radius of downtown Asheville.

3). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) to host the Hatteras Storytelling Festival Events on Saturday, May 3rd.  Carol White Dillon, 67, was 13 years old when the Battle of Torpedo Junction began in 1942.  She was a young girl growing up in Cape Hatteras North Carolina during World War II.  The Buxton native remembers vividly experiences of German U-Boats and spies.  As part of the Hatteras Storytelling Festival, Dillon relates her memories and reads excerpts of the children’s book, Taffy of Torpedo Junction, Saturday, May 3 from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.    Presenting another dramatic part of Outer Banks history as part of the festival is Ben Cherry, aka Blackbeard. As a dramatic actor, Cherry shares riveting tales of piracy from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., also at the Museum.  Visitors learn how Ocracoke Island served as one of Blackbeard's hideaways during the pirate's swashbuckling days.  Cherry’s experience in acting and love of the sea and its lore drew him to the role of Blackbeard. Through his research, costumes, and authentic props, he gives a spellbinding rendition of this most famous pirate's life.  The storytelling events taking place at the Museum are free.  For more information on the Hatteras Storytelling Festival, a three-day event of stories and music, visit: www.hatterasyarns.org. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is located at 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, just past the Ferry Docks. 

4). North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (www.naturalsciences.org) stays open from 5 to 9 p.m. 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. Additionally, the Museum Stores offer after-hours shopping (till 7pm) and an opening reception for April Flanders, whose show “Beyond Their Borders” runs May 2-26 in the Nature Art Gallery. All exhibited art is for sale.  This month’s sci-fi movie is “Revenge of the Creature” and begins at 7 p.m.  Free Admission to the film. Receive discounted tickets to “Rainforest Adventure” every First Friday from 5 to 7pm. Swing like a spider monkey. Ride the butterfly zip-line. Discover a rodent that weighs more than 100 pounds and a beetle that can carry more than 850 times its own weight. Visitors to this new exhibition are invited to explore one of the least-known habitats on Earth in a fully interactive maze, chock full of the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest. Prices: Free for Members; all other tickets $5 on First Friday. Rainforest Adventure is designed for families with children ages 3-12.
           
5). Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, SECCA (www.secca.org), invites you to their Silhouette Gala on Friday, May 2nd.  The annual gala and fundraising event will be held in the main gallery of the museum – the only time of year when patrons get to dine surrounded by art. The evening includes a 6 p.m. cocktail hour followed by a sit-down dinner and live performances by U.N.C. School of the Arts dancers. Proceeds support the efforts by SECCA to enrich lives in the community and enliven thought through contemporary art while increasing its accessibility to diverse audiences.  With exhibitions changing seasonally, the annual gala is always uniquely responsive to the art on view. This year’s Silhouette Gala is inspired by the sophisticated humor and graphic tableaux of the current exhibition Eric Fertman: A Comic Turn. Playing with the idea of light and shadow, delicate lanterns will provide table illumination while dancers create a silhouetted performance to whimsical melodies. Everything from wardrobe and décor to a signature cocktail will reflect this striking yet exuberant theme. Longtime community members and arts supporters Nancy and Gordon Peterson are this year’s Silhouette Gala co-chairs. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; black and white cocktail attire is encouraged. The colors salmon, ochre or hot pink are suggested as wardrobe accents. To reserve the most alluring seats in town, call 336.725.1904 or email Kristin Bell at info@secca.org.
 
6). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to some boating fun on Saturday, May 3rd!  The 40th Annual Wooden Boat Show will take place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and features a variety of small wooden boats, historic vessels, nautical crafts, educational activities, boat models, traditional skills demonstrations and displays.  Admission is free and open to the public.  Proceeds from this fun event help support the operations of the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.  At 11 a.m., the 7th Annual Beaufort Boatbuilding Challenge will take place.  The Beaufort Boatbuilding Challenge seeks to celebrate and maintain the long tradition of boatbuilding and other maritime occupations along the North Carolina Coast.  The challenge is a two-man team competition (and in the first year two all-girl teams entered the fray). Each team builds an identical 12 foot skiff within a four hour time limit. Speed of construction and quality of workmanship are both considered in determining the winners.  The teams are judged on quality, speed and a rowing race. The teams build their own oars and compete against each other in the rowing relay race on Taylors Creek, each member of the two-man team rowing one leg of the relay.  When the teams sign up with an entry fee of $100, they are one set of Carolina Bateau skiff plans, two Awards Ceremony tickets (Saturday night), two Challenge T-shirts, plus possession of the boat the team builds. Teams bring their own tools.  The 40th Annual Wooden Boat Show and 7th Annual Beaufort Boatbuilding Challenge both take place on the Beaufort waterfront at the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center located across the street from the museum.  252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516. 

7). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) will hold British War Grave Ceremonies on May 8th & 9th at 11 a.m.  For 72 years, near the anniversary of the Bedfordshire’s sinking, members of the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and British Royal Navy join visitors and local citizens to honor the service of the men buried in the cemeteries.  The British War Grave ceremonies will take place on May 8, at 11 a.m. at the British Cemetery in Buxton and on May 9, at 11 a.m. at the British Cemetery in Ocracoke. The ceremonies honor the 63 foreign sailors who lost their lives just off the coast of the Outer Banks.  The ceremonies are organized by the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Ocracoke community, the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary 16-04, the National Park Service, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, students from the Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies, students from the Ocracoke School and the Ocracoke Boy Scout troop.  The ceremonies are free and open to the public.  For more information, call the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995.  The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is located at 59200 Museum Drive in Hatteras, N.C.

8). The Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) will celebrate the 1st day of May with “May Day” activities on Thursday, May 1st between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Make a Daisy Chain and dance around the May pole to welcome spring, warm weather and extended light.  Free Family Program.  For More information, call 252-335-1453.

9). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child’s Gallery, is celebrating National Pet Week on Tuesday, May 6th – Friday, May 9th.  All day, every day, enjoy DIY activities in our Party Room focused on pet care & safety. Explore activities from the “Pet Trunk” of the Early Learning Center at the Children & Family Resource Center. All events and activities are free with $5 admission/free for members. Sponsored by Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital. Also plan to attend these special events:  Tues. 5/6 3:30 pm. Unusual Pet Panel! Get up close to an Irish Wolfhound, a tarantula, a chicken, and more!  Wed. 5/7 3:30 pm. Meet a Police Dog! Learn how people & dogs work together to keep our community safe.  Thur. 5/8 3:30 pm. The Animals of F.E.N.C.E.! Meet the wild animals from the Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center that probably should not be pets. What makes an animal a wild animal and what makes an animal a pet?  Fri. 5/9 3:30 pm. Meet Romeo, the Therapy Dog! Romeo will steal your heart as his owner Charlene Farrell discusses his role as a therapy dog. Charlene will talk about taking care of Romeo and about dog safety. Children will be able to pet and walk Romeo.  The mission of Hands On! is to provide children and families with "hands on" educational experiences that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe environment.

10). The North Carolina Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) invites you to *Readers’ Theater: Camp Followers on Friday, May 2nd, from 7-9 p.m.  Presented by Voices in Concert, set in 1864 and based on actual events, this readers’ theater presentation features scenes from a new drama by local playwright Rudy Wallace. It follows the trials of a group of newly liberated slaves who have been abandoned in Georgia during Gen. Sherman’s historic March to the Sea.  Like storytelling, readers’ theater is a format that stimulates the imagination and often leads to a powerful experience for the audience. Minimal stage props free the performers and the audience from the physical limitations of conventional theater, and narration serves as the framework of the dramatic presentation.   $5 per person, ages 13 and up; free, children 12 and under with adult.  To register, call 919-807-7992, or purchase tickets in advance at www.ncmuseumofhistory.org. Tickets also can be purchased the night of the event in the Museum Shop.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 21, 2014



1). North Carolina Preservation Consortium (www.ncpreservation.org) announces a special workshop, “Preserving Photograph Collections”, on June 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh, NC. Historical and fine art photographs can be found in many libraries, archives, museums, and historic sites.  Preserving these collections requires a deep knowledge of the various types of photographic media, chemical photographic processes, causes of deterioration of photographic materials, and photograph conservation science.  This workshop is an introduction to identifying and preserving 19th and 20th century photographs: daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, hand-colored silver gelatin prints, contemporary color, and digital photographs.  Strategies for preservation and best practices for proper handling, exhibition, and storage will be presented.  Participants are encouraged to bring photographic items of interest.  This workshop is designed for staff and volunteers in libraries, archives, museums, historic sites, and other heritage institutions with photograph collections.  Faculty and students in museum studies, library and information science, archives, and public history programs are also welcome to attend.  No prior training or experience is required.  The registration fee for this workshop is $50.00 for NCPC members and $75.00 for non-members.  The $75 fee comes with a year-long NCPC individual membership.   Registration covers lunch, refreshments, and supplies.  A registration form is available on the NCPC web site in the Events section.  

2). The Joel Lane Museum House (www.joellane.org), “The Birthplace of North Carolina’s Capital City,” will present Lizzie Lane’s Colonial Tea on Sunday, April 27th from 3 to 5 pm with a rain date of Sunday, May 4, 2014. In the beautiful colonial style gardens at the Joel Lane Museum House, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters will learn the etiquette of taking tea and cakes in colonial times. After tea, they will have a chance to participate in early American crafts and games. The strains of live music will fill the air. As they sip on tea or lemonade and eat either 18th-century style or modern cakes, attendees will learn the history of tea and how colonial people took their tea. After tea, the girls can play games, dance, and participate in crafts. Admission is by advanced purchase only, and tickets have sold out early for the last two years.  Tickets may be obtained by calling 919-833-3431 payable with MasterCard or Visa or visiting the web site Eventbrite.com. Admission for the public is $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under; members of the Joel Lane Historical Society pay $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Minimum age is 5 years old. Tickets are not refundable unless we must cancel the event.  Please include an email address so we can notify you of a change to the rain date. For more information: tel: (919) 833-3431; email: joellane@bellsouth.net

3). Water Works Visual Arts Center (www.waterworks.org) announces their Sculpture Exhibition on display through April, 2015.Mosaics in the Garden by Jeannette Brossart will be on view in the Waterworks’ Stanback and Deal gardens.  The pieces in this exhibition are inspired by the beauty of nature and the fantastical and colorful work of Niki de St. Phalle.  Their use of vivid color and simple shape brings delight and whimsy to the work, and in one glance defies the rigors of the making process.  Broussart has been a professional mosaic artist since 2003. Her art revolves around nature themes.  Jeannette holds her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill.  Her work includes public art commissions, large scale sculpture, custom installations, gallery art, garden art, and mosaic jewelry.  She has received numerous awards, appeared in publication, and has facilitated a wide variety of mosaic residencies and workshops.  Waterworks Visual Arts Center is located at 123 E. Liberty Street in downtown Salisbury.  Admission is free, donations are appreciated.  Gallery hours are MWF 10am-5pm, TT 10am-7pm, S 11am-3pm.  For more information, visit www.waterworks.org or call 704-636-1882.

4). The Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) announces that Cinco de Mayo will be coming to the Museum on May 3rd.  Spicy adventures in cooking, colorfully-clad dancers and piñatas for the kids will highlight the buzz of activity at the Museum of the Albemarle May 3 Cinco de Mayo:  A Fiesta and Information Fair. Currently exhibiting Al Norte al Norte:  Latino Life in North Carolina, the day of celebration is one of the related free programs for the free photography exhibit, running through July 5. Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Jose Galvez moved to North Carolina from Arizona in 2004 and began documenting life in the Latino community, of business owners, farm laborers and grandparents alike.  Galvez will conduct tours of the exhibit in English and Spanish the fiesta and fair. Featured artist Cornelio Campos also will exhibit and sell paintings that reflect the complex realities of migrant life that often are concealed, including immigration, the U.S. Mexico border difficulties, and cultural identity.  Ballet Folklorico—Espirito from Pitt County will perform three dances throughout the day in traditional costumes.  Local chef Jack Baumbaugh, graduate of San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy, will tantalize the taste buds with various salsas for tasting. Local vendors will have food for purchase also.  Hands-on children’s activities will include making Cascarones, piñatas, and maracas.

5). Historic Edenton State Historic Site (www.edenton.nchistoricsites.org) invites you to experience Edenton in celebration of National Tourism Day on Tuesday, May 6th.  In partnership with Chowan County Tourism, Historic Edenton will be offering free tours of the 1800/1827 James Iredell House, the Iredell House Dependencies, and the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. Free guided Trolley Tours of Edenton's Historic District will be offered at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Trolley Tours depart from the Trolley Parking Spot at the foot of Broad Street on the Waterfront. The Cupola House Association will also have the Cupola House open for tours from 11 am – 3 pm. Admission to all these activities are free, and open to the public on this special day.

6). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to Kayak through History on April 30th from 9 a.m. – Noon. Before bridges and railway, travel by water was the best way to get around the coast.  Experience the waterways of the past. 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.  Ages 12 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Some kayak experience is recommended. Reservations: $45, $25 with own kayak.  Advance registration.  252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516.  www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.

7). New Winston Museum (www.newwinston.org) invites you to their Salon Series discussion - Front and Center: The Jewish influence on the development of Winston-Salem’s Downtown business district. For over a century, this city has housed an active and influential Jewish community. During the economic boom of the late 19th Century, the first Jewish merchants began flocking to Winston-Salem and for generations, they would witness and guide the development of Winston-Salem’s downtown business district. Local residents Richard Miller and Leonard Clein, whose families played a significant role in this process, will discuss the evolution and impact of the Jewish business community on Winston-Salem. Jason Thiel, executive director of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership will moderate this lively and informative discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Thursday, April 24th at 6:00 p.m. Free admission.

8). Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex (www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov) announces that on May 8th, Walter Hilderman, III, will present a program on his latest book, Theophilus Hunter Holmes: A North Carolina General in the Civil War, beginning at 7:00 pm.  Holmes, the son of Governor Gabriel Holmes, was born in Sampson County. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, then served in the Seminole and Mexican-American wars. He joined the Confederacy and rose to the rank of Lt. General. After the war, he settled in Fayetteville where he is buried.  A book signing will follow.  Hilderman is a graduate of Pfeiffer College, and began studying the American Civil War when he was eight years old. He became a Civil War reenactor at age 14. He retired in 1999 after thirty years with the Charlotte police department. This program is held in conjunction with the NC Civil War 150th commemoration. For more information, go online to: http://www.nccivilwar150.com/default.htm.

9). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child’s Gallery, invites you to Healthy Kids Club – Summer Safety! on Thursday, May 1st at 11:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Henderson County Department of Public Health. Ages 3-6 years. Call to sign-up. Limited spaces. Free with $5 admission & free for members. Last one for the spring. Resume in the fall.

10). Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary invites you to join them at the 5th Annual Friends of Page-Walker Herbfest on Saturday May 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Herbfest will be held rain or shine on the beautiful grounds of Page-Walker and open to the public for free. Visitors will have many opportunities to find out all they need to know about starting an herb garden by touring the Page Educational Garden, including a close-up look at the historic 1850’s Page smokehouse.  In addition to touring the Garden, festival-goers can stroll through booths selling a wide variety of herbs, crafts and garden products. Each vendor will be offering items related to gardening, herbs, native plants, perennials, nature and cooking. Fun for all ages! Returning this year will be the popular butterfly releases. This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Cary and The Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel. For more, contact Jennifer Koach, Program Specialist at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, at (919) 462-3963 or by email at Jennifer.Koach@townofcary.org.

Monday, April 14, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 14, 2014



1). Oconaluftee Visitor Center   (www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future,” on view from April 26th through May 28th.  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. There will be a special exhibit PREVIEW on Friday, April 25th from 6 until 7 pm.  For more information, contact: Curatorial.InSight@gmail.com

2). Kings Mountain Historical Museum (www.kingsmountainmuseum.org) will present an Earth Day Celebration on Tuesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  You won’t believe some of the amazing GREEN activities Kings Mountain businesses are up to!  Bring the whole family to explore the many “reduce, reuse & recycle” themes in our current exhibit, Common Threads: Kings Mountain’s Textile Heritage from Prehistory to Today.  See how Kings Mountain’s modern textile industry leaders recycle plastic waste into t-shirts, blue jeans into insulation, and cotton waste into dollar bills and cattle feed.  ADMISSION IS FREE!  Donations are appreciated.  All donations go towards fulfilling the Museum’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret history through exhibits, educational programs, tours, and other appropriate means, in order to foster a deeper understanding of the history of our community and the region.  To find out more about upcoming exhibits and events, please visit us at: www.kingsmountainmuseum.org or call (704) 739-1019.  You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest.

3). Bellamy Mansion (www.bellamymansion.org) invites you to join them at four historic Wilmington homes for a Progressive Wine Dinner to kick off the Wilmington Wine and Food festival weekend.  On Thursday, May 1st, experience four types of cuisine and wine pairings.  Tickets available for purchase and all proceeds benefit the Bellamy Mansion Museum.

4). The Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) will be the site of “Paint and Cookie:  Monogram on Canvas” on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.  The Museum and Serenity Studio Arts will join forces in creating a monogram themed mixed-media canvas.    Elementary age students will use paint, paper, and found objects to create a mixed-media masterpiece on canvas.    The masterpieces created by participants during the workshop will be highlighted at Serenity Studio Arts on May 2, 2014 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for 1st Friday Art Walk.  Limited space and supply fee required.  For More Information Call 252-335-1453.

5). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to “Salty Dawgs:  Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks:  A Summary of Research from the CSI/ECU Fall 2012 Field School” on Tuesday, April 22nd at 2 p.m.  In the summer of 2012, Coastal Studies Institute investigated a series of shipwrecks between Kill Devil Hills and Rodanthe. Dr. Nathan Richards, the head of CSI’s Maritime Heritage Program discusses a range of archaeological activities from basic underwater surveying to remote sensing technologies. Free admission.  Email: maryellen.riddle@ncdcr.gov. 252-986-2995. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, NC 27943. 

6). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to their special Children’s Program “Kayaking for Kids” on Monday, April 21, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  What a great time of year to be on the water! Sign up your child for a kayak trip with the Maritime Museum on April 21st. Associate Curator Benjamin Wunderly will teach the safe and smart way to kayak in this class for 8-12 year olds. After in depth instructions the group will be led on a short paddle trip through the salt marshes and sandbars around Beaufort. Participants should know how to swim and feel comfortable with being on the water.  Reservations: $45, $25 with own kayak.  Advance registration.  252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, 315 Front Street, Beaufort 28516.

7). Cherryville Historical Museum invites you to join them for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, April 26.  Driver Ned Jarrett will appear at the museum from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 to sign autographs.  His 1937 Ford will also be on display at the museum all day.

8). Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex (www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov)  is seeking two interns to volunteer with 1897 Poe House tours and other duties at the complex this summer. The selected interns will provide guided tours of the 1897 Poe House for walk in visitors during the week. Tours are offered at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 Tuesday through Friday. Between tours, the intern would assist the Education Staff with various projects related to special events, publicity, and educational activities for all age groups.  This is a great opportunity for students contemplating careers in the museum or history fields to get some hands on practice and understanding of the museum environment.  Volunteer internships look fantastic on college applications and can be added as work experience when applying for paid positions.  The volunteer internships are scheduled from June to August and will work around the students’ schedules. Weekday schedule is negotiable; however, the intern must be willing to volunteer 100 hours during the internship. Candidates must be a rising high school junior, senior, or rising college student enrolled as of August 2014. Applicants should also demonstrate an interest in museum work, visitor services, history, or education.  Applications can be picked up at the Museum of the Cape Fear or downloaded from website, www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov.  The application deadline is April 30, 2014. For more information visit our website or call (910) 486-1330. Completed applications with cover letters can be dropped off at the museum or mailed to: Megan Maxwell, Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, PO Box 53693, Fayetteville, NC 28305.

9). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child’s Gallery, is planning a FAMILY MUD FUN event scheduled for Friday, May 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 at Berkeley Park. You may have heard of the upcoming mud run to benefit Hands On! that will be a challenging 3 mile obstacle race in the mud, but this smaller family-oriented event will focus more on those families who enjoy the creativity and programs offered at Hands On!  Family MUD FUN will include muddy games for kids and adults of all ages. The youngest participants will enjoy painting with mud, finding worms in the mud and other creative muddy activities.  Children ages 11 & under can enjoy a 1 mile mud run. And, even the parents can participate in activities like mud volleyball and mud tug-of-war.  Tickets for the event are $20 per child ages 2 & up, and this includes a Chick-Fil-A nugget meal, live music throughout the event and muddy games and fun!  All participants must register prior to May 23, but participation is limited and may be cutoff earlier. You can register for the event by visiting handsonwnc.org and registering online. Any children registered before May 5 will receive a t-shirt.  This event is made possible through the generosity of two premiere sponsors: Drs. Richard & Alison Reid of Reid & Reid Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Park Ridge Health. New to the event this year is the option for attending parents to purchase their own Chick-Fil-A meal or beverage donated by Southern Appalachian Brewery. Adults must accompany children, but there is no registration fee for adults.

10). North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (www.naturalsciences.org) asks you to prepare your sense of adventure and head to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for a tropical rainforest journey. The Museum’s latest special exhibition, “Rainforest Adventure,” opens Saturday, April 26, 2014.  Swing like a spider monkey. Ride the butterfly zip-line. Discover a rodent that weighs more than 100 pounds and a beetle that can carry more than 850 times its own weight. Visitors to this new exhibition are invited to explore one of the least-known habitats on Earth in a fully interactive maze, chock full of the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest.  The journey begins in the highest treetops surrounded by migratory birds and radiant sunlight. In an effort to reach the forest floor, visitors must answer questions about the rainforest. Incorrect answers lead to dead ends, while correct answers lead them deeper into the four layers of the rainforest: emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor.  Created by Minotaur Mazes, Rainforest Adventure offers visitors an interactive experience that empowers them to make a difference after they learn how essential rainforests are to human health and survival, and that in caring for the rainforest they are caring for the planet. Supplemental children’s activities have been developed in collaboration with Marbles Kids Museum. Rainforest Adventure is designed for families with children ages 4-12.  Tickets: $7 for Adults; $5 for Children 3-12; $6 for Students, Seniors and Military; FREE for Members. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.naturalsciences.org/exhibits/special-exhibits.