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
- Toy Boom: Toys from the 1950s and 1960s
- Collecting Carolina
- 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
- David Marshall “Carbine” Williams
- Meet the Statues
Temporary Exhibit
Law and Justice: The Supreme Court of North Carolina 1819-2019
November 15th, 2019, to May 31st, 2020
With artifacts, images, and text (and some case notes that will likely make you think), we celebrate 200 years of law and justice with this temporary exhibit that explores the history of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
Presented in collaboration with the Supreme Court of North Carolina and Smith Anderson.
The museum hosts a number of events every month. You can see the full list here. Some are free and some have a fee.
Upcoming Events
19th Annual African American Cultural Celebration
Saturday, January 25th, 2020
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free
Join the statewide kickoff to Black History Month at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society since 2015, the 19th Annual African American Cultural Celebration will feature musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, reenactors, and more.
Follow the above link for a full schedule.
History Corner: Lighting the Way (Ages 6-9)
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
What have people used to light up their lives over the years? Find out, from oil lamps to candles to electricity.
Ages 6–9 (may be accompanied by an adult)
$5 per child; $3 for North Carolina Museum of History Associates members
For information, call 919-814-7046.
History Hunters: Immigration and Emigration (Ages 10-13)
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
What pulled people to North Carolina? or pushed them away? Discover some reasons why folks have moved into—and out of—our state.
Ages 10–13
$5 per child; $3 for North Carolina Museum of History Associates members
For information, call 919-814-7046.
Museum After Dark
Friday, February 7th, 2020
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Free
Make your own Victorian valentine, sample some local beers (and maybe some popcorn and other sweet treats), and explore our lobby level exhibits all evening long. Then relax with My Fair Lady (1964; MPAA rating: G; run time: 170 min.), a story of unlikely bonds and hidden infatuations. The film stars Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, with legendary director George Cukor, and famed set and costume designer Cecil Beaton.
5–8 p.m.: Music and activities in the lobby
6–7:30 p.m.: Member program in the Demonstration Gallery
7:30 p.m.: Movie in Daniels Auditorium
