Thomas Day State Historic Site

Thomas Day State Historic Site Thomas Day was a furniture craftsman and cabinetmaker who worked and lived in Milton, North Carolina.

Attention educators! Thomas Day State Historic Site invites K-12 educators to join us for a half-day professional develo...
05/21/2026

Attention educators! Thomas Day State Historic Site invites K-12 educators to join us for a half-day professional development workshop that explores the roles of local history and primary sources in shaping meaningful instruction, with a focused look at Caswell County's school desegregation story.

Through a blend of hands-on research and discussion, participants will learn how to discover, analyze, and teach with local primary sources to help students connect national history to their own communities. This session is completely free of charge, and catered lunch is provided at no additional cost. Participants may recieve .45 CEU credits.

This opportunity will be taking place on Friday, July 24th, at Thomas Day State Historic Site (148 NC-57, Milton, NC 27305) from 10:00am to 2:30pm.

While this workshop is designed for K-12 classroom teachers, educators (current or former) of any kind are encouraged to register.

Please complete the form to register: https://forms.gle/eLbAryWhQym3vpig7
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Heads up! While the site is still open, there will be no guided or self-guided tours until 3:00pm today, May 19.We thank...
05/19/2026

Heads up! While the site is still open, there will be no guided or self-guided tours until 3:00pm today, May 19.

We thank you for your understanding, and usual tour times will resume tomorrow, May 20.
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Alas, “What Do I Do” Wednesdays is coming to an end! Our weekly content will be shifting to “Stylish Saturdays” to explo...
05/13/2026

Alas, “What Do I Do” Wednesdays is coming to an end! Our weekly content will be shifting to “Stylish Saturdays” to explore the style of the Days’ times, so stay tuned for swanky furniture and fashion! If you have any future questions on how to take care of your priceless heirlooms, however, feel free to message us.

In the meantime, thank you for following this series, and remember:
-Keep your heirlooms clean with dusting
and vacuuming
-Ideal temperature and relative humidity
for artifacts are 70 degrees and 50%
-Keep your heirlooms out of direct sunlight
when possible
-Watch out for signs of creepy crawlies

Despite serving as the mother figure of the Day household, Aquila Wilson Day largely remains a mystery. However, an 1851...
05/09/2026

Despite serving as the mother figure of the Day household, Aquila Wilson Day largely remains a mystery. However, an 1851 letter from her husband to their daughter sheds some light on how she was as a mother:

“Your mother is still quite well but complaining a little. She wants to see you very badly and so do I…..”

“Your mother sends her love to you and says she is going to send you a Christmas Gift.”

While seemingly unremarkable at first, these short lines show Aquilla as a woman who, with her husband, loved and provided for her children in a time when most people where they lived saw them as second-class citizens.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from Thomas Day State Historic Site!Every day, North Carolina’s teachers power possibili...
05/06/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from Thomas Day State Historic Site!

Every day, North Carolina’s teachers power possibility. Their expertise, creativity, and commitment fuel the learning that happens in classrooms and across DNCR sites statewide. We’re honored to celebrate our state’s remarkable professionals this week and always!

Like teachers of today, Thomas Day's daughter powered possibility, too. After the Civil War, Mary Ann Day was an educator who taught hundreds of newly emancipated students throughout North Carolina in Wilmington, Lexington, and Milton. Her commitment in the 1860s was clear, and we are so thankful for all teachers who remain just as dedicated today.

Photo credit: National Archives
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We are excited to be a part of the newest affiliate members of the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios (HAHS), a program...
05/05/2026

We are excited to be a part of the newest affiliate members of the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios (HAHS), a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As a peer-to-peer coalition of museums, HAHS brings together sites that were the homes and working studios of significant American artists, leveraging collective experience in historic preservation, visitor programming, and community engagement.

Thomas Day State Historic Site is now part of this important group of sites capturing American creative life across two centuries, bringing the total to 93 member sites, spanning 32 states.

Thomas Day State Historic Site preserves the home and workshop of Thomas Day (c. 1801-1861), a free Black master cabinetmaker who became the largest furniture maker in North Carolina by 1850. Day’s work blends Greek Revival, Gothic, and Italianate influences with elements reflecting his cultural heritage and can be found throughout the Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont. The site tells the story of his life and craft within the broader history of free Black life in the antebellum South.

https://savingplaces.org/guides/hahs-2026-sites
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We are so excited to share that Thomas Day State Historic Site is now an affiliate member of Historic Artists' Homes and...
05/05/2026

We are so excited to share that Thomas Day State Historic Site is now an affiliate member of Historic Artists' Homes and Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation!

What better way to kick off National Preservation Month than with this announcement and a visit to Thomas Day? We are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-5pm. We hope to see you soon!
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We're hiring!Thomas Day State Historic Site is looking for part-time employees to help with the day-to-day operations of...
05/01/2026

We're hiring!

Thomas Day State Historic Site is looking for part-time employees to help with the day-to-day operations of our site. General responsibilities include visitor services, guiding tours, assisting with group tours and programs, conducting research, and other tasks as needed.

Follow the link to apply:

https://nc.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/NC_Careers/job/Caswell-County-NC/Historical-Interpreter-I--Temporary---Caswell-_JR-114953

Alt Text: Promotional poster with four images of individual employees at work.

Heads up! Tomorrow, May 1, Thomas Day State Historic Site will be closed from 11:30am-5:00pm for staff development. Regu...
04/30/2026

Heads up! Tomorrow, May 1, Thomas Day State Historic Site will be closed from 11:30am-5:00pm for staff development. Regular hours will resume Saturday, May 2.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we look forward to welcoming you on Saturday!
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Our Assistant Manager reviewed collections care basics with our other staff today! We also found some mysterious writing...
04/29/2026

Our Assistant Manager reviewed collections care basics with our other staff today! We also found some mysterious writing on plaster in one of the rooms. What do you think it says?

Address

148 Broad Street
Milton, NC
27305

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19194515373

Website

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