North Carolina Museum of History

North Carolina Museum of History Explore North Carolina’s past and learn about its people. Other exhibits highlight the state’s military history, sports heroes, decorative arts and more.
(1821)

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum fosters a passion for North Carolina history, with more than 14,000 years to learn about and explore, from the state’s earliest inhabitants through the 20th century. The major exhibition The Story of North Carolina features fascinating artifacts, multimedia presentations, and an interactive format for all ages. Monthly programs include childr

en’s programs, craft demonstrations and family events. The Museum Shop, featuring North Carolina crafts, is open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Free parking is available on weekends in the Jones/Edenton Street lot. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 919-814-7000 or go to ncmuseumofhistory.org. The museum is part of the Division of State History Museums, an agency of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, www.ncculture.com.

Brigadier General Joseph S. Allison was a native of Orange County and was elected as its representative in the state leg...
06/16/2026

Brigadier General Joseph S. Allison was a native of Orange County and was elected as its representative in the state legislature on several occasions. He volunteered for service in the War of 1812 and also served as Clerk of the Court for Orange County. Today's artifact is the coatee Allison wore while commanding the 6th Brigade of the NC militia, 1835–1838.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is hiring an Administrative Associate! The person in this position will ...
06/16/2026

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is hiring an Administrative Associate! The person in this position will be responsible for a variety of basic hospitality, visitor services, and office support duties.

This job position closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 25. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4vf7D8h

The Carolina Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games! This is the second St...
06/15/2026

The Carolina Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games! This is the second Stanley Cup for the franchise. Rod Brind’Amour was captain when they won in 2006 and now has another title as head coach. Captain Jordan Staal is the oldest player to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He also has the record for the longest time between goals scored in a Stanley Cup final and the longest time between two Stanley Cup championships: 17 years. Alternate captain Jaccob Slavin became the second American to win an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup championship in the same year.

Pictured: Rod Brind’Amour’s signed jersey from 2006.

in 1988, one of the greatest sports movies of all time premiered. “Bull Durham”—starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon...
06/15/2026

in 1988, one of the greatest sports movies of all time premiered. “Bull Durham”—starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins—brought national attention to the Durham Bulls baseball team. The movie was filmed at Historic Durham Athletic Park, the Bulls’ original venue. Durham Bulls Athletic Park opened in 1995 and is the current venue for the team.

Hi Barbie! Happy ! This original Barbie was released by Mattel Inc. in 1959. After watching her daughter play with pape...
06/13/2026

Hi Barbie! Happy ! This original Barbie was released by Mattel Inc. in 1959. After watching her daughter play with paper dolls of adult women, Mattel cofounder Ruth Handler created a three-dimensional doll and named it Barbie after her daughter. Barbie sales boomed following an aggressive marketing campaign—over 300,000 dolls sold in the first year!

Witnesses to the Revolution, a joint collaboration from The North Carolina Museum of History and the University of North...
06/12/2026

Witnesses to the Revolution, a joint collaboration from The North Carolina Museum of History and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s University Library, opens today! Through documents, artifacts, and firsthand accounts, the free exhibition reveals how North Carolinians experienced the Revolution and how its impact continues to shape our state today. The exhibition will be on view at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Wilson Special Collections Library through Dec. 4. https://bit.ly/4uI2tRe

06/12/2026

Rich in life because this is our team. 🏒❤️🖤

The North Carolina Museum of History will join the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences June 16 for Roots of Discov...
06/11/2026

The North Carolina Museum of History will join the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences June 16 for Roots of Discovery: Juneteenth. Come by our table from 10:30 to 1:30 to learn about the history of Juneteenth, the Juneteenth flag, and the 13th amendment! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Qm6nki

Photo: Kamal Bell, founder of Sankofa Farms, courtesy of NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

This “Double Irish Chain” quilt, today’s , likely dates to the 1840s or 1850s. It originated on Cool Spring Plantation ...
06/09/2026

This “Double Irish Chain” quilt, today’s , likely dates to the 1840s or 1850s. It originated on Cool Spring Plantation in Edgecombe County. It may have been made by the people enslaved there or by a member of the Battle family who owned Cool Spring. The quilt is one of a collection of 13 bedcovers from the plantation that were given to us in the mid-1960s.

Address

5 E Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC
27601

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19198147000

Website

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