North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street in Raleigh, is free to visit. It’s open every day, with the following exceptions:

Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Current Exhibits

• Quilt-Speak: Uncovering Women’s Voices Through Quilts
• One Giant Leap: North Carolina and the Space Race
• Remembering D-Day, 75 Years Later
• Freedom! A Promise Disrupted: North Carolina, 1862-1901
• The Story of North Carolina
• 1920s Drugstore
• North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
• History in Every Direction: Tar Heel Junior Historian Association Discovery Gallery
• History of the Harvest
• Collecting Carolina
• David Marshall “Carbine” Williams
• Meet the Statues

The museum hosts a number of events every month. You can see the full list here. Some are free and some have a fee.

Here are some upcoming events:

History à la Carte: No Strangers
Wednesday, June 12th, 2019
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Free

Speaker: Carol Thornell, Peace Corps Volunteer and World Traveler

Thornell taught English, reading, and math in public schools and community colleges, then received her doctorate in adult education from North Carolina State University and worked in organizational development and management training for companies across the United States. After retiring, she joined the Peace Corps and served 27 months in Thailand. She now lives in Burlington but continues to travel as much as possible, searching out new cultural experiences and striving to “meet no strangers.”

Bring your own lunch; some beverages provided.

Quilt-In at the Museum
Saturday, June 15th, 2019
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

Join us for an afternoon of North Carolina stories told through fabric, word, and crafts.

• See displays and demonstrations by area quilt guilds and groups
• Enjoy hands-on crafts for kids, families, and adults
• Gather capture-that-story information and advice from the Quilt Alliance
• Add your signature to a quilt to be donated to a Military veteran
• Get quilt care and maintenance tips
• Take tours of the QuiltSpeak exhibit led by curator Diana Bell-Kite
• Enter a raffle to win copies of the QuiltSpeak exhibit catalog

Conservation Assistance Day
Friday, June 28th, 2019
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

Make an appointment to present up to three objects for assessment and advice on care from a Museum of History conservator. The Museum of History does not provide estimates on value. ​

Appointment required. Call 919-814-6961.

150 Years of Gardening in America: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Saturday, July 13th, 2019
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Free

Speaker: Craig LeHoullier, Gardener and Author

LeHoullier will provide insights from his research for an upcoming book that discusses what we grew in the past, what we’ve lost, and what is growing in our gardens today. Author of Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales, the Raleigh gardener always shares his love of gardening and offers tips on how to make your garden grow.

Support for History of the Harvest on Bicentennial Plaza is provided, this year, by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission and by Logan’s Garden Shop.

One Giant Leap Festival
Saturday, July 20th, 2019
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

More will be announced soon, but this free event will include demonstrations and activities, like:

• Virtual reality lab where you can “travel” to space and be on the moon
• Bungee-jumping station
• Much more! Check back soon.