RALEIGH – With back-to-school shopping well underway and the classroom doors swinging open, families in North Carolina can enjoy the last bit of summer fun at the 27 North Carolina State Historic Sites. A six percent increase in visitation in the 2007-08 fiscal year (FY) compared to last fiscal year shows that visitors are maximizing both the fun quotient and family finances at state historic sites.
Whether panning for gold, exploring an Elizabethan or World War II vessel, or listening to cannon fire at a Civil War site, citizens will find great recreation on a day trip from home.
“You might meet a governor or a queen, a pirate or Indian chief, or a common Civil War soldier among the costumed interpreters at our state historic sites,” explains Keith Hardison, state historic sites division director, concluding, “Whether down East, in the piedmont or western region, there’s something for you to do that’s inexpensive or free in the vicinity.”
In addition to regular tours at all the sites, several have special programming this month that will captivate visitors. Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo will present two comedies featuring Queen Elizabeth, one on her relationship with her half-sister, Mary Queen of Scots (Aug. 6, 13, 20), the other about her relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh (Aug. 7, 14, 21). Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville will offer an evening of Appalachian folk tales and ballads on Friday, Aug. 8.
The Greek Revival architecture of the State Capitol in Raleigh is featured in an exhibit there, and will be examined in a family friendly hands-on program on Aug. 9. A Revolutionary War program will honor North Carolina’s first governor Richard Caswell, on Aug. 16, at the CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Governor Caswell Memorial in Kinston. Civil War weapons and soldier life will be subjects of programs at Vance Birthplace in Pinnacle (near Asheville) on Aug. 16-17, at Bentonville Battlefield (Johnston County) on Aug. 23, and also at Bennett Place in Durham on Aug. 23-24.
For a special treat, the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spenser will have a Kids Ride Free day for the train on Aug. 15. The site also will host a Mopar Show, featuring cars by Plymouth, on Aug. 30.
Part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the Division of State Historic Sites observes the 2008 Cultural Resources theme, “Telling Our Stories” daily. For information on the sites and programs, visit www.nchistoricsites.org; for information on Cultural Resources visit www.ncculture.com.