North Carolina Humanities

Fall African American Walking Tours
2026-02-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) and 12 more dates | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC, NC, 27601, United States
Autumn is perfect for walking! Explore Raleigh’s historic, influential Black neighborhood, the Third Ward, near Shaw University—a hub of culture, business, and education.
Registration is required. $10 per adult and $5 per child (ages 5-17)

NOTE: Saturday tour times are 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Sunday time 2 pm

September: Saturday 20th, 27th and Sunday 21st, 28th
October: Saturday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, and Sunday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
November: Saturday 1st, 8th, 22nd and Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd,
December: Saturday 6th, 13th, 20th, and Sunday 7th, 14th, 21st

Pals & Gals Vintage Valentine's Party
2026-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Make vintage-inspired cards, sip drinks, and try chocolates. Be merry!
We will provide all of the crafting supplies and the ambiance. This is a wonderful activity for couples, friends, and folks looking to build new community, all for a good cause. 100% of profits from this event go to support free educational programs at the museum.
Location: City of Raleigh Museum
Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Age: 21 and up
Cost: $35

Lunchbox Lecture
2026-02-12 12:00 - 12:45 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Join Dr. M.T Pope House Museum Site Director, Hazel Boomer and Museum Educators, Karleigh Schuster and Maggie Damghani as they share the story of how the Museum began and give updates about new tours, exhibits and the House’s exciting future

Life Stories, Remembered: A Personal History Workshop
2026-02-04 10:30 - 12:00 | Online Event, NC, United States
Start writing the story of your life during this interactive workshop designed for older adults. We’ll explore story structure, learn storytelling techniques, and practice turning memories into vivid narratives. In this workshop, you will:
–Make a “life map” marking the key milestones, important people, and lasting memories in your life.
–Learn storytelling tools and techniques that keep readers engaged.
–Complete a brief guided writing exercise, turning one memory into an anecdote.
–Receive a digital storytelling guide you can use to continue writing your story at your own pace.

Fighting for Freedom: Black Civil War Reenactors
2026-01-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC, NC, 27601, United States
Travel back in time to see United States Colored Troops and allies as they tell stories of real-life Black soldiers and their lives in the camps and on the front lines. The event is free.

Emancipation Day Trolley: Oberlin Village Tour
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:30 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC, NC, 27601, United States
Located on the outskirts of Raleigh, Oberlin Village was a vibrant African American community established after the Civil War. Celebrate Emancipation Day by joining local historian Carmen Wimberly Cauthen and Cheryl Williams for a guided tour of Oberlin Village. $15 for adults and $6 for children

2026 Emancipation Day Breakfast
2026-01-03 08:30 - 09:30 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Join us for a hot breakfast and a lecture by Dr. Antwain K. Hunter on Emancipation.
Emancipation Day is a day of REJOICING!
On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved African Americans in the South. This proclamation inspired many to run away and join the frontlines of the Union army. After fighting, many decided to commemorate this Proclamation; thus, Emancipation Day was born.
Usually celebrated on January 1st in North Carolina, Emancipation Day featured parades, dances, and speeches. After 1865, many African Americans navigated the complicated reality of balancing their new freedom within existing societal discrimination. Our lecturer will discuss this reality regarding firearms and gun ownership in the 1800s.
Books can be purchased at the Event!
About the Book: A Precarious Balance: Firearms, Race, and Community in North Carolina, 1715–1865
New nuance to old gun debates in the Tar Heel State
Spanning the 1720s through the end of the Civil War, this book explores how free and enslaved Black North Carolinians accessed, possessed, and used firearms—both legal and otherwise—and how the state and white people responded. North Carolinians, whether free or enslaved, Black or white, had different stakes on the issue, all of which impacted the reality of Black people’s gun use.
Antwain K. Hunter reveals that armed Black people used firearms for a wide range of purposes: They hunted to feed their families and communities, guarded property, protected crops, and defended maroon communities from outsiders. Further, they resisted the institution of slavery and used guns both against white people and within their own community. Competing views of Black people’s firearm use created social, political, and legal points of contention for different demographics within North Carolina and left the general assembly and white civilians struggling to harness Black people’s armed labor for white people’s benefit. A Precarious Balance challenges readers to rethink how they understand race and firearms in the American past.

Holidays at the Pope House
2025-12-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC, NC, 27601, United States
Visit the Pope House to enjoy period-accurate Christmas decorations, music, and games. Relax with the Popes as you learn about 20th-century Christmas traditions. This guided tour will also feature delicious treats, a Children’s story hour, and carolers! https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/news/holidays-popes

Lunchbox Lecture - Raleigh’s Dr. Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964)
2025-12-18 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Raleigh’s Dr. Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964) – Scholar, Mathematician, and More!
Bring your lunch to the City of Raleigh Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month. This month come hear Dilip and Anuragini Barman discuss Dr. Cooper’s life and career.

The 9th Annual Chocolatada
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
This is a free, bilingual holiday story time event for families. It includes free books, crafts, chocolates, songs, treats, hot chocolate, pastries and more. It’s part of the 11th Annual El Quixote Festival – Children’s Voices. This year’s agenda includes:

Children’s performances
Ana Jimena will delight us with holiday songs
David and Victoria Garrett will treat us to holiday favorites with their string instruments.
The Dominican Folkloric Dance Group will dance to get us in the spirit.
Local Children Authors will join us to sign their books.

We will also be giving Free Bilingual books to children 0-12 years of age

City of Raleigh Museum Family Fun Day
2025-12-13 11:00 - 14:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Come and enjoy a festive Family Fun Day! We will decorate wrapping paper, make snowflakes and have coloring sheets made from real historical holiday cards.
Free and perfect for elementary ages!
