North Carolina Humanities

Jane Austen Summer Program 2025
2025-06-19 - 2025-06-22 | NC
We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth in 1775. Our transatlantic celebration will take place June 19-22, 2025 in historic New Bern, NC.
In line with our theme “Sensibility and Domesticity,” we will explore topics including medicine, birth, and domestic arts in Regency England and colonial North Carolina. Join us as we focus on Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility—considering the birth of her career as a published writer as well as taking a transatlantic look at the world into which she was born.
The Jane Austen Summer Program (JASP) is designed to appeal to anyone with a passion for all things Austen. Attendees include people from all walks of life, as well as established scholars, high school teachers, and students from middle school through graduate school.

Jane Austen Summer Program
2025-06-19 08:00 - 2025-06-22 17:00 (America/New_York) | Tryon Palace, New Bern, NC, United States
JASP is a four-day symposium exploring Jane Austen through lectures, workshops, small-group discussions and other activities, including a Regency ball. Each year we focus on one of Austen’s works. We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth in 1775. This transatlantic celebration will take place June 19-22, 2025 in historic New Bern, NC. In line with our theme “Sensibility and Domesticity,” we will explore topics including medicine, birth, and domestic arts in Regency England and colonial North Carolina. We’ll focus on Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility—considering the birth of her career as a published writer as well as taking a transatlantic look at the world into which she was born.

Stories that Connect Us: A Community Conversation on Telling the Full Story
2025-06-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-06-26 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-24 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-31 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-07 17:30 - 19:30 and 5 more dates | Passmore Center, 103 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Discover the stories that shape our community in a special four-part conversation series! Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and the Telling the Full Story committee, each session dives into the history of local sites from our interactive map, with engaging video presentations and oral histories that bring these places to life. Join us for lively discussions and reflections on the impact of these spaces in Hillsborough.
Mark your calendar for Thursday evenings in February 2025, 5:30–7:00 PM at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, NC. Come to learn, connect, and be inspired—see you there!
February 6th- Entrepreneurship in the 20th Century
February 13th- The Land Remembers
February 20th- Community Institutions
February 27th- Navigating Freedom
What is Telling the Full Story: The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough’s Telling the Full Story program seeks to uncover and share the diverse, often untold histories of Hillsborough. Through community conversations, interactive maps, and oral histories, this program invites everyone to explore the people, events, and places that have shaped our community, fostering a richer understanding of our shared heritage.
Funding for this program series is generously provided by North Carolina Humanities.

Juneteenth Celebration at the Washington Waterfront Undergroudn Railraod Musuem
2025-06-21 09:15 - 13:30 | Washington Waterfront Undrground Railroad Museum, Corner of Main and Gladden Streets, Washington, NC, United States
The Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum will host a series of events to celebrate Juneteenth.

It took 913 days after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation for news of the emancipation to reach the enslaved in Galveston, Texas. In honor of that, Leesa Jones, curator of the Washington Waterfront Underground Museum, will lead a walk from the museum at the corner of Gladden and Main Streets to the site of the proposed Black History Legacy Park at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Van Norden Street. The walk is exactly 913 steps.
Juneteenth flag raising honoring Washington’s Black United States Civil War soldiers
Decorating the Juneteenth Celebration Tree
Children’s reading hour
Juneteenth Jeopardy, bingo, a Juneteenth scavenger hunt and Juneteenth A to Z

The Black Oral Histories of Beaufort County will also have an information booth there to share more about the project, with the hope of lining up additional interviews.

Juneteenth Storytelling Festival at Latta University Historic Park
2025-06-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Latta University Historic Park, 1001 Parker Street, Raleigh, NC, 27607, United States
Enjoy a celebratory Juneteenth festival with live storytelling, an interactive puppet show, food trucks, and crafts for kids in a historic park honoring African American freedom and community.
Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a day filled with stories, music, food, and connection.

Threads of Time: Spinning with Becky Garrison
2025-06-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Transylvania Heritage Museum, Inc, 189 West Main Street, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
Local Artisan Becky Garrison explores spinning and the processing of raw materials into thread. This demonstration complements the Heritage Museum’s Exploring Appalachian Culture Evhibits thread-spinning and clothing displays.

Lunch Box Lectures at the City of Raleigh Museum
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Feed your belly and your brain!
Bring your lunch to the City of Raleigh Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month.
Time: noon – 12:45 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Free

Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully
Thursday, June 26
Join Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully from the City of Raleigh’s Historic Preservation Unit. They have recently completed a project to learn about historic places important to the city’s LGBTQIA+ communities. Come hear about how the project got started, the consultant’s research process, highlights from the report, and potential next steps.

Binding Blank Books Workshop
2025-06-27 18:30 | NC
Join Old Salem staff and be transported back to the world of 18th century blank book making. This hands-on workshop will teach traditional techniques used to create handmade blank books with colorful paste paper. This highly sought after material was a true Moravian tradition used throughout the 18th century to create one-of-a-kind book bindings, stationary and crafts. Demonstrating step-by-step techniques, our Old Salem craftspeople will help you create small journals, ledgers and even pocket sketchbooks. Each participant will cover and bind a book of their own and also create their very own paste paper for future at-home projects. Don’t miss an evening at Old Salem experiencing one of our most popular crafts: binding blank books.
Space is limited. Ages 8 years and older (participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a ticketed adult)
Check-in for this program will be held at the venue: Single Brothers’ Workshop, 10 West Academy Street, Winston Salem NC 27101
All tickets are non-refundable. Pricing and entitlements for admission tickets are subject to change. Once the purchase transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email. Please click the link in your confirmation email to view and/or print your barcoded eTicket. Tickets may be printed in advance or presented on your mobile device on the evening of the event.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in.

Independence Day at Old Salem
2025-07-04 10:00 - 16:00 | NC
Celebrate Independence Day with Old Salem! Join us this Friday July 4th from 10am-4pm for a festive day of immersive interpretation, live music, and hands-on fun for all ages. Explore Revolutionary history and the theme of “Becoming American” as it was lived right here in Salem!
Historic Demonstrations
Live reading of the Declaration of Independence
📍Salem Square at 12 pm and 2 pm
Historic Firearms Demonstration
📍Tavern Meadow at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Making historical frozen summer treats
📍John Vogler House, all day

Lunchbox Lecture – A New Raleigh City Flag
2025-07-17 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Please join us in the lobby of the City of Raleigh Museum (220 Fayetteville Street) at noon on Thursday, July 17, 2025, for a panel discussion from the people behind the New Raleigh Flag Campaign! Feel free to bring your lunch and eat it while you learn all about this grassroots movement!!! This program is FREE and open to everyone.

Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
2025-07-26 10:00 - 17:00 | North Carolina Mueum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601
¡El Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura ha vuelto— y esta vez más grande y emocionante que nunca!
Nos expandimos a los dos edificios del Museo, ofreciendo aún más oportunidades para explorar, aprender y celebrar juntos. Sumérgete en una experiencia vibrante y completamente bilingüe (español-inglés) que combina ciencia, cultura e innovación.
Interactúa con científicos a través de actividades prácticas y exhibiciones interactivas, mientras disfrutas de la riqueza de las tradiciones latinas y el patrimonio hispano. Junto con música, narraciones, arte y presentaciones culturales, podrás descubrir las fascinantes conexiones entre la ciencia y la cultura.
Tanto si eres un apasionado/a de la ciencia, como si tienes curiosidad o simplemente buscas pasar un día divertido en el Museo, este evento gratuito tiene algo para todos. ¡Es una celebración del conocimiento, la diversidad y la comunidad que no te puedes perder!
Presentado en colaboración con el Consulado General de México en Raleigh y RedGlobalMX Capítulo Raleigh.

Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura is back—this time bigger and more exciting!
We’re expanding across both Museum buildings, offering even more opportunities to explore, learn, and celebrate together. Immerse yourself in a vibrant, fully bilingual experience (Spanish-English) that combines science, culture, and innovation.
Engage with scientists through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits while enjoying the richness of Latino traditions and Hispanic heritage. Alongside music, storytelling, art, and cultural showcases, guests can discover the fascinating connections between science and culture.
Whether you are a science enthusiast, a curious learner, or just looking for a fun day at the Museum, this free event has something for everyone. It’s a celebration of knowledge, diversity, and community you don’t want to miss!
Presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh and RedGlobalMX Raleigh Chapter.

Reckoning with Racial Covenants Community Listening Session
2025-07-31 18:00 - 19:30 | The People’s Solidarity Hub, 1809 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC, 27707, United States
Help the Hacking into History Project develop a community-driven exhibit about restrictive racial covenants in Durham, supported by a North Carolina Humanities grant. As this is a collaborative project, your ideas matter.
Join us for food and conversation at our final Reckoning with Racial Covenants Community Listening Session on Thursday, July 31 from 6:00-7:30 pm at The People’s Solidarity Hub (white building). We shared visual displays and gathered feedback from attendees at our first two listening sessions. At this third and final session, we will review the outline draft of the exhibit content.
All Durham residents are welcome, whether you have been to one of our previous events or not.

Washington NC's National Night Out 2025: Strengthening Community Bonds
2025-08-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Beebe Memorial Park, 1101 N. Bridge Street, Washington, NC, 27889, United States
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. This event invites families, neighbors, and local organizations to come together for an evening of fun, food, games, and safety education. The Black Oral Histories of Beaufort County Project will have an information booth at the event to share more information about the project.

Great Reads from Great Places-"Katharine, The Wright Sister" Book Event
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:30
North Carolina Humanities annually selects one book for young readers and one book for adults that is either written by a North Carolina author or that prominently portrays stories of the state to be featured at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.
To celebrate this year’s selections, NC Humanities is offering the following opportunities here in our home state of North Carolina:
NC Humanities will host a free, online book discussion program with author Tracey Enerson this summer! Join us on August 27th at noon for a virtual lunch and learn to hear Tracey discuss her book, and the questions of family, innovation, and sacrifice the books asks.
Register here.

Hometown Walkabout Cultural Tours
2025-08-30 09:00 - 15:00 | NC
We will host two Hometown Walkabout Community Group tours and two law enforcement tours during the remainder of 2025. The tours will encompass: pre-tour guides, orientation, curated cultural site stops, guest speakers, cultural lunch, reflections, and follow-up resources.
Our mission is to increase awareness of the rich cultural landscape in Burke County, NC, through place-based and art-based tours and guided discussions that highlight and celebrate the unique qualities of local communities.

08/30, Community Cohort 1 starts at The Industrial Commons, 647 Hopewell Rd., Morganton, NC 28655
09/23, Law Enforcement Cohort starts at the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, 150 Government Drive, Morganton, NC 28655
9/25, Law Enforcement Cohort starts at the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, 150 Government Drive, Morganton, NC 26855
10/25, Community Cohort 2 starts at The Industrial Commons, 647 Hopewell Rd., Morganton, NC 28655

Community Impact Film Series: Immigration
2025-08-30 10:30 - 13:00 | The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC, 28213, United States
Join us at our next Community Impact Film Series event focused on Immigration. This free event includes:

10:30 – 11:30am: Resource Fair + Music by La Brava
11:30 – 1:15pm: Short Films Screening
1:15 – 1:45pm: Post Screening Discussion
1:45 – 2:45pm: Resource Fair + Music by La Brava

Featured films:

Hope and Resistance: 5 years of the Carolina Migrant Network
Swimming with Wings
Kowloon!
Leaving Ikorodu In 1999
Lana
We Were The Scenery

Guest Speakers:

Bryan Li, Owner of Open Rice Asian Kitchen & Owner of Residency Charlotte

Hector Vaca Cruz, Director of Immigrant Justice for Action NC

Roderico Y. Diaz and Emily Gibson Rhyne from Iximché Media

Resource Fair & Organizational Partners:

Bethany Christian Services of NC
Carolina Migrant Network
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Hue House
International House
OBRA Collective
World Affairs Council
El Futuro es Latino
Somme Reasons LLC
Camino
Refugee Support Services

This series is possible due to the support of Kathryn & Luke Kissam, as well as

I’ll Make You A Punty You Can’t Refuse! (A 5-day crash course in american-style venetian glassblowing)
2025-09-08 08:00 - 2025-09-12 17:00 | Starworks – 100 Russell Drive, Star, NC, 100 Russell Dr, Star, NC, 27356, United States
Join guest instructor and glass artist Jason McDonald at Starworks in Star, NC for a skill-focused dive into the delicate art of Venetian-style goblet making. Whether you’re new to glassblowing or already have studio experience, this class is designed to meet you where you are. Students with some basic experience will get the most from this intensive course—but if you’re a first-timer, don’t worry: additional assistance will be available to help you jump in safely and confidently. Sept 8-12. NEW onsite housing available!

Lenoir-Rhyne University Visiting Writers Series: Shelby Van Pelt
2025-09-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Belk Centrum, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC, 625 Seventh Avenue NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Dive into the enchanting world of “Remarkably Bright Creatures” with author Shelby Van Pelt. Discover a heartwarming story that weaves together human connection and the unexpected wisdom of a remarkable octopus. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the author of the novel that has captivated readers around the world as the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC hosts Shelby Van Pelt.
Tickets are free but required. Visit www.tickets.lr.edu to reserve yours. A book signing will follow the lecture.
