ncmuseums

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

Sunday, November 30, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 1, 2014



1). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences (www.naturalsciences.org) hosts 5-year-old Florida author and kindergartener for Storytime on Tuesday, December 2nd at 10:30 a.m. Most 5-years-olds (or adults for that matter) can barely spell Spinosaurus, Dromaeosaurus, or Tyrannosaurus rex, let alone write a whole book about dinosaurs, but 5-year-old Pembroke Pines, Florida native Christopher Isaiah Penn Smith can and did! In fact, he wrote and published “Guess Who, Mr. Dinosaur?” when he was 4 years old and in preschool! Chistopher will read from his book during each Storytime! National recording artist Yolanda Rabun and guitarist Emily Musolino will accompany Christopher in each session with a song that was written for the book. Museum Early Childhood Educator Beth Cranford will also have a live animal for the kids to learn about and touch. Storytime is held daily on the 3rd floor of the Museum’s main building inside Windows on the World, an intimate demonstration theater.

2). Asheville Art Museum (www.ashevilleart.org) invites you to First Friday Art Walk on Friday, December 5th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.  While all of our galleries are open on First Fridays, this evening’s event is a holiday-inspired Celebration of Color, and we invite guests to tour the new colorful exhibition What You See Is What You See: American Abstraction After 1950.  You will also find perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list in our Museum Shop!  On the first Friday of each month through December, the Museum participates in the Downtown Asheville Art District’s First Friday Art Walks from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Admission fee to the Museum is pay-as-you-wish during these events.

3). North Carolina Preservation Consortium (www.ncpreservation.org) is sponsoring a Basic Book Repair Workshop on Friday, December 12th from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Mecklenberg Library. This workshop will teach you how to assess damage to books early, evaluate treatment processes, and perform simple, economical, basic book repair techniques.  Recommendations for setting up a basic book repair work station, purchasing affordable tools and supplies, and documenting repairs will also be provided. The registration fee for this workshop is $50.00 for employees of NCPC member institutions and individual NCPC members, and $75.00 for non-members.  The $75 fee comes with a year-long NCPC individual membership.  Lunch, refreshments, and materials will be provided.  A registration form is available on the NCPC web site in the Events section.

4). The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (www.northcarolinamuseum.org), 301 N. Main Street, Mount Airy, announces a free Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tour four floors of museum exhibits, view our themed Christmas trees, shop for holiday gifts, plus enjoy light refreshments, holiday music and various musical performances every hour.  Also, bring your children to visit Santa and enjoy cookies and punch from 3 – 5 p.m. - sponsored by MAPS (Mount Airy Professionals of Surry.)  The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is FREE. 

5). Joel Lane Museum House (www.joellane.org), “The Birthplace of North Carolina’s Capital,” will sponsor its annual Colonial Christmas Open House celebration on Saturday, December 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are requested. The house will be decorated with traditional greenery and will reflect the very different way in which colonists and early Americans celebrated the Christmas holiday. Information about the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; the sounds of live music will fill the air; and other interpreters will entertain children using colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program. The museum store will be open with a great choice of gifts under $10 for both young and not so young, and the annual bake sale will feature delicious local specialties and traditional delights.

6). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) announces that the Polar Express will arrive on Saturday, December 6th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as part of a fun-filled holiday open house. View the Polar Express O-scale train village, courtesy of the Albemarle Railroad Club. Visit the newly-renovated Discovery Room, featuring interactive exhibits with a railroad theme. A highlight of the day will be three showings of The Polar Express film (10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.), based on the popular children’s book by author Chris Van Allsburg. Junior Docents will help you make a bell ornament for your tree. On the museum grounds, a “Jingle Bell" carriage ride ($5 per person) and pony rides ($3 per child) will be available, as well as a free Space Walk Polar Express jump house.  Step up to the turnstile—but don’t wait too late! The Polar Express exhibit will leave the tracks January 3, 2015.

7). The North Carolina Pottery Center (www.ncpotterycenter.org) presents “Kids’ Holiday Ornament Class” on Saturday, December 13th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Education Building at the North Carolina Pottery Center (233 East Avenue, Seagrove). Come get in the holiday spirit at NCPC! We invite kids (and kids at heart) to join us in creating one-of-a-kind ornaments. Participants will choose three stoneware ornaments from a range of precut selections, and then decorate them with paint. After they’re sealed, ornaments will be ready to take home and enjoy the very same day!  All supplies included. $5 for NCPC members/$5 for non-members. Additional ornaments will be available for purchase, if you’d like to make more than three. For more information, or to register, call the Pottery Center at (336)873-8430.

8). Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex (www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf) invites you to celebrate the Christmas season with Victorian flare at the annual Holiday Jubilee at the 1897 Poe House on Sunday, December 14th from 1 – 5 p.m.  This free event will feature a concert by Fayetteville’s own Coventry Carolers, who will perform on the front porch at 1:30 and 3:30.  The house will be elaborately decorated for a Victorian Christmas providing a beautiful backdrop for this festive event and will be open between the caroling performances. The Poe House kitchen will be alive with the smells of Christmas goodies cooking on our 1902 Glenwood stove. Kids can weave a Christmas bracelet or bookmark to take home. The 1897 Poe House will be decorated for Christmas from November 25 through January 4 and offers free tours daily. 

9). Fort Fisher State Historic Site (www.historicsites.org/fortfisher) will celebrate the upcoming holiday season by hosting its annual Holiday Open House on Tuesday, December 9th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the visitor’s center. Open House visitors will enjoy seasonal refreshments, decorations, and entertainment throughout the day, including an array of holiday musical selections by the Murray Middle School Jazz Band. The event will also feature storyteller and musician John Golden, as well as Masonboro Parlor, a group of local musicians who offer a unique combination of dance and period music. For this one day only, a special 25% discount will be offered on all museum shop merchandise, so visitors can stock up on gifts for the history enthusiast on their list. Before the conclusion of the program, the Friends of Fort Fisher will announce the winner of the 2014 rifle raffle, at which a lucky ticket holder will win a reproduction Civil War Springfield Musket. Raffle tickets are available right up until announcement time, but you need not be present to win.  Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fisher and Fort Fisher Chapter 2325 of the UDC, the Holiday Open House is free and open to the public.

10). High Point Museum (www.highpointmuseum.org) invites you to launch the Holiday Season at the Museum’s Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 7th from 1 - 4 p.m. It’s a day filled with special reenactments, music, demonstrations, refreshments and hands-on activities.  The Heart & Soul Singers from the Arc of High Point will be singing holiday favorites at 1:15 p.m. Children will be able to make a holiday craft. Santa Claus will make a special appearance from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A new exhibit “Just like Mommy” featuring a variety of toys will be on display in the lobby. The Museum’s collections staff will answer questions about preserving personal collections. In the historical park, adjacent to the Museum, there will be weaving, spinning and blacksmithing demonstrations, as well as historic games and candle dipping. Visitors can learn about the life of a Revolutionary War soldier from The Guilford Militia, a Revolutionary War Reenactment group. In the 1786 Haley House, visitors will enjoy listening to old-fashioned holiday music played on dulcimers. The High Point Museum Guild will offer cider and cookies in the Hoggatt House. Admission and all activities are free to our Holiday Open House.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 10, 2014



1). The Federation of N.C. Historical Societies (www.fnchs.org) invites you to Raleigh for its November 20th workshop, “Social Media for Historical Organizations.” Workshop participants will learn how to use social media as an outreach and membership recruitment tool; the pros and cons of each major social networking site; techniques for using social media for fundraising; and practical guidelines for best promoting institutional content, based on data from institutions across the country. After working on a case study, attendees will also have an opportunity to create a social media strategy for their own organization. Registration costs $10 for Federation members, $15 for non-members. Please visit www.fnchs.org/News.aspx for more information and to download a registration form.

2). Kings Mountain Historical Museum (www.kingsmountainmuseum.org) invites you to their community-wide holiday tradition, the opening of their exhibit “Toys, Games & TRAINS”.  Heading into its twelfth consecutive year, the annual model train display by the Piedmont S Gaugers at Kings Mountain Historical Museum has become a not-to-be-missed holiday tradition for many families throughout the region and the highlight of the year for local train enthusiasts young and old.  The exhibit will open Saturday, November 15, 2014 and run Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, closing on January 3, 2015. 

3). The N.C. Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) invites you to come see the first major exhibition about North Carolina’s role in the film industry. Starring North Carolina! 100 Years ● 3,000 Films opens on November 15th and will run through September 6th, 2015.  See costumes, props, and memorabilia from Bull Durham, Iron Man 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue Velvet, Sleepy Hollow, and dozens more! Test your knowledge of the state’s films, TV shows, stars, and crews. For more information, http://www.ncmoh-starring.com

4). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) will hold “Preschooler Time:  Get All Steamed Up to Shout!” on Thursday, November 13th at 10 a.m.  Participants between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and accompanied by an adult will discover the sizes, shapes, and colors that can make each teapot unique, but then listen as they get all steamed up. Free Family Program. For More Information Call 252-335-1453.

5). New Winston Museum (www.newwinston.org) invites you to a lively reading and discussion entitled, "What does it mean to be Southern?" Participating are Joseph Mills, Susan Burress Wall Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Cheryl Harry, Director of African-American Programming at Old Salem Museums and Gardens, and Ed Southern, executive director of North Carolina Writers' Network. The program will include readings by each of the three panelists and a moderated discussion exploring the historical and contemporary complexities of ‘”being southern.” The event is in collaboration with UNC School of the Arts as part of the Museum's current exhibition, This School, This City. Monday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. Free Admission.

6). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences (www.naturalsciences.org) invites you to their annual Fossil Fair! If you’re wild about dinosaurs and fascinated by getting your hands dirty, Fossil Fair at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is right up your ally… or dig pit… whichever you prefer! On Saturday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., all four floors of the Museum’s Nature Exploration Center (main building) and the first and second floors of the Nature Research Center will be transformed into an oasis of millions-year-old relics. Fossil Fair is the nation’s largest event dedicated to fossils and paleontology. Free. Co-hosted by the North Carolina Fossil Club. For additional information or to purchase tickets, call the Museum Box Office at 919.707.9950.

7). Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex (www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf) announces that thanks to a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council, the Museum of the Cape Fear, along with the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center, will sponsor a mini-symposium on November 22nd from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Pate Room of the library.  The mini-symposium is free and open to the public. The mini-symposium is being held in conjunction with the 225th anniversary of North Carolina ratifying the United States Constitution, which occurred in Fayetteville on November 21, 1789. The symposium has lined up speakers who are well-versed in their topics to tell the story of how North Carolina became the twelfth state. The library’s Pate Room sets the stage for the speakers and a panel discussion that will take place at the end. In addition to the symposium, the museum will have on exhibit North Carolina’s copy of the signature page. The document is housed at State Archives and this is the first time since it has been in their possession that the document will be on public view. We encourage symposium attendees to stop by the museum and view the document ahead of time. Visit http://www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf to learn more about the museum and other programs.

8). Hands On! A Child's Gallery (www.handsonwnc.org) invites you to learn to create turkeys at Hands On! Join us all week for Critter Craft – Turkeys! on Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 14. This is a drop-in, self-directed activity in our Art Area. Sponsored by Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital.  Visitors can also test their painting skills starting Wednesday, Nov. 12 through the end of the month. Learn to paint a turkey with easy to follow instructions in our Art Area. Both activities are free with $5 admission and free for members.

9). The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (www.tcva.org) at Appalachian State University is celebrating the opening of three new exhibitions on December 5, 2014 featuring three very diverse artists: Andrew Fullwood, Tanja Softić and Les Caison III. Andrew Fullwood is a master wood sculptor, NC native, 5th generation wood carver known candidly as “the one who can’t make furniture" in his family.  Tanja Softić is a painter, Bosnian immigrant, who shares experiences of living in exile. Les Caison III is a painter, ASU alumni, and believes that perspective and positive attitude are the things that get us moving in the right direction and expresses that belief in his work.  For more information on these exhibits or for any questions, call 828-262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org.

10). The American Association for State and Local History (www.aaslh.org) is seeking proposals for sessions for its 2015 annual meeting, which will be held from September 16 through 20 in Louisville, Kentucky. In keeping with the conference theme, “The Power of Possibility,” AASLH is seeking proposals that focus on innovative ideas, encourage public involvement in museums, and promote organizational review and revitalization. Deadline for session proposals is November 17. To learn more about submitting a proposal, visit http://about.aaslh.org/am-call-for-proposals.

Monday, November 03, 2014

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 3, 2014



1). High Point Museum (www.highpointmuseum.org) announces that Dr. Douglas Butler will be giving a lecture on his book and its photographic exhibit, North Carolina Civil War Monuments: An Illustrated History, on Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Butler is an independent scholar, photographer, and practicing physician living in northwestern North Carolina. In his presentation, Butler will discuss the historical, artistic, and social contexts in which each of these commemorations were created, share his images, and relate insightful episodes and fascinating anecdotes highlighting the cultural and aesthetic evolution of these memorials.  His award-winning photography has been featured in regional and national publications. Dr. Butler, a NC Road Scholar, will be available to sign books after the lecture which is free and open to the public. His exhibit will be on display at the High Point Museum until December 13.

2). The Charlotte Museum of History (www.charlottemuseum.org) invites you to Backcountry Beer Fest on Saturday, November 8th at 1:00 p.m.  Their second annual beer fest will once again feature colonial beers made from the natural spring flowing on the home site.

3). Hands On! A Child's Gallery (www.handsonwnc.org) invites you to Kids Vote at Hands On, all day Tuesday, November 4 - Friday November 7. This activity engages visitors in voter education & a “hands on” voting experience. Visitors can practice the voting process by voting on a question about healthy eating. The Hands On! voting booth is made possible by Kids Voting Henderson County which is an affiliate of Kids Voting North Carolina and Kids Voting USA. Kids Voting is a private, non-partisan organization dedicated to engaging students from K-12 and their families in voting and other elements of effective civic engagement to foster an informed, participating electorate. The learning continues at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3rd for Book n’ Craft with the book “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin. Books on elections & voting designed for PreK-2nd grades are also available to read at the Hands On! Welcome Center.  All of these activities are free with $5 admission/free for members.

4). The Museum of Anthropology (www.moa.wfu.edu) invites to a Kachina Doll Workshop on Sunday, November 9th, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Kachina dolls are used by the Hopi people of the United States Southwest to portray the spirits that they believe surround them.  In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, participants in this program will learn about the Hopi people and their beliefs and make their own kachina doll. The workshop is open to all ages.  The fee is $10 ($7 for MOA Friends) per doll.  Advanced registration is required. Call 336.758.5282 or reply to this email to register.

5). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) will host History for Lunch: The Ladies of Our Edenton Tea Party on November 5th at 12:15 p.m.  Bring your lunch and enjoy a lecture.  The museum provides the beverage. For this month’s lecture, John Collins, Edenton Historian, will talk about the momentous gathering that took place on October 25, 1774, at which 51 women signed a resolution that was published in London the following January.  The event is now famed as the first political action by women in America.  For more information concerning the event call 252-335-1453.

6). Thalian Hall (www.ThalianHall.org) invites you to travel back in time to when radio was king and the mountains were its palace!  Broadcast: A Man and His Dream - The Live Radio Show combines string music, storytelling and film at Thalian Hall on Saturday, November 8th  at 7:30 p.m. and will be a delight for string music fans, lovers of Blue Ridge Mountain culture, and history buffs. The show is a delightful trip through the very beginnings of the Blue Ridge tradition of music and the dream of one man and his radio station that helped keep that tradition alive. Inspired by the documentary film "Broadcast: A Man and his Dream" by Jordan Nance, this show weaves film and live music to create a unique and exciting experience for the audience. Tickets will be $32/$26/$18; visit http://www.thalianhall.org/2014-2015-main-attractions-and-special-events for more info.

7). Old Salem Museums & Gardens (www.oldsalem.org) invites you to join them on November 8th for the  MESDA Saturday Seminar: Take a Chair!  Presenters will discuss construction, design, and regional characteristics of early southern chairs in the MESDA collection followed by an afternoon at Reynolda House exploring the dramatic creative evolvement of the chair in design and function from the early nineteenth century to the present. 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $65 ($60 for Friends of MESDA/Old Salem). To register, call 336-721-7360.

8). The N.C. Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) announces its 19th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration. This free family-friendly festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Members of all eight state-recognized tribes come from across North Carolina to participate in this exciting celebration. Passionate about sharing their heritage, these musicians, dancers, craftspeople, storytellers and others provide many opportunities to learn about the state’s Indian culture, past and present. With so much to see and do, stay the day and grab lunch from vendors. Try some traditional American Indian foods with a modern twist, such as Indian tacos or Sappony salsa. For a schedule of all performances and presentations, visit NCMOH-programs.com or call 919-807-7900.

9). Joel Lane Museum House (www.joellane.org) presents a lecture on "Understanding Southern Silver” by Gary Albert of MESDA on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Visitors Center of the Joel Lane Museum House. Admission will be $16 for the general public and $11 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required. Please go to the Eventbrite web site to purchase admission. Be sure to include the names of all in your party; nametags will serve as tickets. Tickets are non-refundable unless we must cancel the event.  Gary Albert will discuss silver’s role in material culture, care of silver, and identifying marks and dating through style and design.  Gary is Editorial Director at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and Editor of the MESDA Journal. He also serves as the museum’s adjunct curator of silver and metals.  For more information, please call 919-833-3431, email joellane@bellouth.net, or visit www.joellane.org.

10). Cherryville Historical Museum (www.cherryville.com/museums/historical_society/index.htm)  announces that on Saturday, November 8th fishing pro, Guy Eaker, and other noted pro-fishermen will host a fishing seminar at the Great Outdoors of Cherryville.  This event is a fundraiser event to sponsor a medical/pharmacy exhibit at the Cherryville Historical Museum.  Raffle tickets are $1 and are sold at the Great Outdoors and other businesses in the area.  Raffle events will go on thru the day.  The main raffle is for a Revo Rocket and Fenwick Rod 7 foot Action.  Drawings during the day will also be for Abu Garcia Rod and bags of lures. There will also be a kids casting contest (ages 8 and up).  For more information call 704-445-8848.