Donnie Taylor, site manager for the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, takes viewers on a tour of the Harper House (ca. 1855), which was used during the battle as a hospital.  The house is furnished as a Civil War field hospital. 

The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the last full-scale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount a tactical offensive. This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat the large Union army of Gen. William T. Sherman during its march through the Carolinas in the spring of 1865.

Hundreds of North Carolina students will gather on Saturday, April 26, at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh to celebrate History Day.  Archives and History Education Supervisor Joann Williford talks about the annual competition (:33).  Next, three North Carolinians share memories of cultural experiences (4:47).  April is Jazz Month, and Scott Freck of the North Carolina Symphony recently caught up with jazzman Branford Marsalis for a phone interview (8:13).  The New Orleans born Marsalis, who now lives in Durham, is a trustee of the Symphony board.  The podcast closes with “Revelation,” by Durham singer Lois DeLoatch, who is featured in the new edition of the Touring Artists Directory from the North Carolina Arts Council (14:11).  

In this video podcast, artist Steed Taylor talks about his new works found on trails throughout the N.C. Museum of Art Park.  The paintings celebrate Earth Day Raleigh, which will be held at the Museum Park on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The event, which is free, happens rain or shine.   The Museum will unveil new park trails, as well as Taylor’s art works.  There will be musical performances, storytelling, guided tours, children’s workshops, and more. 

In this video podcast, Tia Herring, Park Manager at the N.C. Museum of Art, and Gwen Hastings, Program Coordinator of Performing Arts and Film at the museum, speak about Earth Day Raleigh at the Museum Park on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The event, which is free, happens rain or shine.   The Museum will unveil new park trails, as well as new works of art along those trails.  There will be musical performances, storytelling, guided tours, children’s workshops, and more. 

It’s spring cleaning time, and we asked a couple of our experts from Cultural Resources to give us some tips and techniques on protecting items such as clothing, quilts, paper, and photos.  Spencer Waldron, Objects Conservator at the North Carolina Museum of History, talks about the care of textiles (:30).  Next, Fay Mitchell catches up with Sarah Koonts, Head of Collections Management at the State Archives (6:47).  April is National Jazz Month, so in its honor, the podcast closes with “Scraggle” by Raleigh jazz artists Children of the Horn, who are featured in the new edition of the Touring Artists Directory from the North Carolina Arts Council (12:54).  The directory is a selected listing of more than 150 North Carolina literary, performing, and visual artists and arts groups who are available to perform or share their art throughout the state.  

Aimee Elizabeth Isbell, 2007 NC Poetry Out Loud Champion recites a poem, and talks about her experiences.  The competition was sponsored in North Carolina by the North Carolina Arts Council.

April is National Poetry Month, and the North Carolina Arts Council is featuring poets from around the state on its Writers and Books page.

Today’s show features a behind the scenes look at a Hollywood film, cultural memories from North Carolinians, and a look at a new exhibit at the Museum of History that soars. 

First up, for one North Carolina State Historic Site, it was Hooray for Hollywood. (:58)  “Leatherheads,” starring George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski, opens Friday, April 4 in theaters nationwide.  The romantic comedy filmed extensively in North Carolina, including Spencer, which is where Elizabeth Smith, executive director of the North Carolina Transportation Museum spoke about having a film crew on site.

Next, Cultural Resources theme for 2008 is “Telling Our Stories,” and the podcast will occasionally feature North Carolinians sharing their first or most memorable cultural experience (6:13).  Sue Bullman remembers childhood adventures in Raleigh; Karen Ponder talks about learning quilting from her grandmother, and Jane Trivette speaks about the value of purchasing historical publications for her children.

The latest exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of History is “Art Ducko: Waterfowl Culture in North Carolina.”  Museum staffer Susan Lamb shares an overview of the exhibit (10:51).

The podcast closes with “Wade in the Water,” from the Keowee Chamber Music Festival, featured in the new edition of the Touring Artists Directory from the North Carolina Arts Council (15:56).  The directory is a selected listing of more than 150 North Carolina literary, performing, and visual artists and arts groups who are available to perform or share their art throughout the state. 

 You can find out more about the Keowee Chamber Music Festival at www.keoweechambermusic.org.

Today’s show highlights women’s history month, and a conversation with a librarian who is working to put reading at the top of everyone’s summer to-do lists. First up, Cultural Resources historian Ansley Wegner shares glimpses into North Carolina history, courtesy of the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker program (:45).  She talks about a famous tea party, a Confederate spy, a seamstress born into slavery who, after purchasing her freedom became the confidante of a U.S. first lady, and a pioneer of aviation.  Fay Mitchell catches up with Lori Special of the State Library, as she gets libraries around North Carolina ready for summer reading programs (7:29).  The podcast closes with a tribute to summer reading -  “Catch the Bug,” by Asheville children’s rap performer Cactus Sullivan, also known as Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (13:18).  You can find out more about his music at www.undergroundplayground.net.

Today’s podcast features voices of Outer Banks residents as they talk about how life has changed over the years in coastal North Carolina (:45).  Produced by Tama Creef and Drew Grimes, the audio is part of an exhibit at the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo entitled “the Outer Banks Now and Then: Where We Are, Where We’ve Been.” Exhibit subjects range from prehistory and geology to entertainment and weather prediction. The exhibit is free, and will be on display through the end of this year.  For more information, email obhc@ncmail.net. The podcast closes with “Hurricane, Flood, Tornado,” from songwriters Marcy Brenner & Lou Castro, who make their home on Ocracoke Island (23:18).  Their duo, which they call Coyote, is featured in the new edition of the Touring Artists Directory from the North Carolina Arts Council.   The directory is a selected listing of more than 150 North Carolina literary, performing, and visual artists and arts groups who are available to perform or share their art throughout the state.