Explore North Carolina’s Fascinating Past at the Museum of History in Raleigh

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North Carolina has a long and vibrant history, and the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh is a terrific place to learn about its past. North Carolina has been populated for more than 10,000 years, and it is the site of many famous events that have taken place in the history of the United States. Key events during both the Revolutionary War and Civil War happened here, and many legendary figures called North Carolina home.

The North Carolina Museum of History houses more than 150,000 artifacts representative six centuries of history. This outstanding collection is the source of many diverse exhibits that recount various aspects of the state’s history. Currently, there are fifteen exhibits to explore at the Museum.

ArtDuckO: Waterfowl Culture in North Carolina is a popular and entertaining exhibit that opened at the North Carolina Museum of History in 2008. This unique exhibit explores the state’s waterfowl culture across 150 years. Hundreds of carved decoys dating as far back as 1872 are featured in this exhibit. You can examine artifacts and see materials related to conservation activities and waterfowl hunting clubs in North Carolina.  Boats, guns, waterfowl art, natural bird specimens and feather fashion items are some of the many diverse items included in this exhibit.

Bearing Witness: Civil Rights Photographs of Alexander Rivera is another fascinating exhibit visitors can tour at the North Carolina Museum of History. This exhibit includes documentation of the Civil Rights era by the famous photojournalist and Civil Rights activist Alexander M. Rivera Jr.

Alexander Rivera worked for several of the leading black newspapers in the United States, and his skill and vision allowed him to capture images that convey the experience of African American communities which he witnessed during the Civil Rights years.

The Call to Arms exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History explores the state’s military history and heritage. Artifacts from the Revolutionary War all the way through the present day Iraq War are displayed and interpreted in this exhibit.

Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans is an intriguing exhibit currently on display at the North Carolina Museum of History. If you are interested in North Carolina’s American Indian communities, you will enjoy the Community and Culture: North Carolina Indians Past and Present exhibit.  The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is also located at the Museum of History.

There is such a wide variety of top quality exhibits at the North Carolina Museum of History, there is always something of interest to see for adults and children of all ages. Whether you are interested in decorative arts, sports, military history, music, culture, or art, you will enjoy spending a day at the North Carolina Museum of History.