NCMC Events From Around the State… November 2, 2015

1). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) presents the Shipwreck Scavengers Challenge on Friday, November 13^th from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.    As history teaches us, Outer Banks folk used shipwreck timbers and scavenged materials to build homes and enhance their island lives. In this maritime class, youth are challenged to use what ordinarily are considered discarded items to create something useful or decorative. Ages 6-12. All supplies furnished. Free. Call to register.  For more information, call 252-986-2995 or visit www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.   

2). Kings Mountain Historical Museum (www.kingsmountainmuseum.org) invites you to their annual holiday exhibit, Toys, Games & TRAINS that opens Saturday, November 14^th and runs through January 2^nd, 2016.  This annually recurring exhibit fills the Museum with model train displays assembled by the Piedmont “S” Gaugers, as well as railroad memorabilia, and antique toys and games. Visitors of all ages will be enchanted as they explore the miniature snow-covered scenes that line the tracks, and discover the interactive features such as a carousel, chocolate factory, hot air balloons, and mailbag pickup. Parents and grandparents will enjoy reminiscing with the children about the toys and games of their childhood, such as cowboy memorabilia, doll houses, and board games. Bring your cameras – this exhibit provides great opportunities for holiday family photos.  This exhibit is sponsored in part by Truliant Federal Credit Union.  Exhibit it open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Admission is Free.

3). The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher) celebrates the Veterans Day holiday by waiving all admission fees on Wednesday, November 11^th.  Veterans Day is one of two holidays each year the N.C. Aquariums offer visitors free entry. The other is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January. All N.C. Aquariums also offer discount throughout the year to active duty military and retired military (with identification).  In addition, the Aquarium will be accepting non-perishable food donations on Nov. 11 to benefit those served by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Appropriate items include canned fruits, vegetables, meats, beans and soups; peanut butter, infant formula.  Don’t forget most schools are closed for the holiday, too. Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to spend a fun-filled day at AquaCamp. Space is limited. Contact the Aquarium at (919) 807-7300 for more information.

4). Cape Fear Museum of History and Science (www.capefearmuseum.com) invites you to see the Nationally Touring Civil Rights Exhibition.  For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, a nationally touring exhibition from NEH on the Road, opens November 8^th at the Museum. Through a compelling assortment of photographs, television clips, art posters, and historic artifacts, the exhibition traces how images and media disseminated to the American public transformed the modern civil rights movement and jolted Americans, both black and white, out of a state of denial or complacency.   View the exhibit at a free opening reception on Sunday, November 8^th from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy live music by Jerri Holliday. Special activities for children will be offered. Refreshments will be served. For additional exhibit programming, visit www.capefearmuseum.com/programs.    

5). Caldwell Arts Council (www.caldwellarts.com) announces Hues & Brews 2nd Annual Studio Tours and Artist & Craft Beer Celebration on Saturday, November 7^th. The Hues & Brews Studio Tours will feature 6 artists at 5 locations opening their homes and studios for visitors 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Pick up your studio tour brochures at the Caldwell Arts Council or see the brochure online at www.huesandbrews.org  and plan your tour.  The studio tour is FREE of charge. Continue the fun in downtown Lenoir where 19 Artists & Crafters and 9 Craft Brewers will gather at the corner of Boundary Street and Harper Avenue for the Hues & Brews Festival 2-6 p.m. Craft Brewers from Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga, and Burke counties will be offering tastings of their craft brews, while artists and crafters display and demo their beautiful work. Artwork will be for sale and live music by 3 different bands fill the air. Food vendors will include JD’s Smokehouse Barbecue and Lenoir’s own Grill & Brew Club grilling wings & frog legs. Children’s art activities will also be provided. The festival is FREE.  Your craft beer tasting ticket, including a collector tasting glass, is $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Tickets are available at the Caldwell Arts Council, and can be purchased on the website www.HuesAndBrews.org.

6). Tryon Palace (www.tryonpalace.org) announces that the United States Air Force Heritage Brass will play two free concerts on November 10^th and 11^th at Cullman Performance Hall, located in Tryon Palace’s North Carolina History Center. Both performances will begin at 7 p.m. The Heritage Brass is a pioneering symphonic brass ensemble that brings the military tradition of brass and percussion to the concert stage. Doors open for both concerts at 6:15 p.m. and reservations are recommended. All seats are general admission and may be reserved by phone at 252-639-3525 or online at www.tryonpalace.org. All remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information call 252-639-3500 or visit www.tryonpalace.org.

7). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child's Gallery in Hendersonville, invites you to an early visit from Santa on Wednesday, November 11^th from 1-3 p.m. School is out and Hands On! is open with a very special guest!  All ages. Write a letter to Santa and personally deliver it to him. Plenty of time to get those requests in before Christmas! Free with $5 admission/free for members. If you forget your letter, we will have letter writing materials for you! Sponsored by Drs. Reid & Reid, Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.

8). Charlotte Museum of History (www.charlottemuseum.org) invites you to Backcountry Explorers – Cooking on Saturday, November 7^th at 10:30 a.m.  Join the Museum for a series of hands-on classes where students ages 6-12 will immerse themselves in Colonial history. Grab your explorer’s badge and join us as we discover Colonial life at the Hezekiah Alexander Home Site and create hands-on projects.  $10 per student. Please register at www.charlottemuseum.org.  

9). High Point Museum (www.highpointmuseum.org) invites you to discover how Native Americans and early Quaker settlers used things from the natural environment to make toys.  Make your own corn shuck doll to take home on Saturday, November 14^th anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Our costumed interpreters will show you how.  $1 per doll. All ages welcome.  Drop-in.

10). Bellamy Mansion Museum (www.bellamymansion.org) invites you to a preservation celebration on Sunday, November 8^th between 12-4 p.m.  The Blockade Runner Hotel & Resort hosts a celebration of preservation with a tour of historic beach cottages and light lunch in the hotel. Explore the Mid-Century Modern icon and the nearby Davis-Landis, Boney and MacRae homes, plus the Blockade Runner’s “Cottage”.  Reservations are $35 and can be made by calling 910.251.3700.  You can also walk up and join us at the Blockade Runner on Sunday!  Parking is available at the hotel from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and all five sites are within a five minute walk of each other.