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

• The North Carolina Roots of Artist Ernie Barnes (Through March 3, 2019)
• North Carolina and World War I (through January 6, 2019)
• A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans
• Look Again: Discovering Historical Photos (through January 6, 2019)
• Alexander Hamilton: Immigrant, Patriot, Visionary
• The Story of North Carolina
• 1920s Drugstore
• History in Every Direction: Tar Heel Junior Historian Association Discovery Gallery
• History of the Harvest
• North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
• David Marshall “Carbine” Williams
• A Call to Arms
• 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 of the upcoming festivals as well as other free events:

Festivals at North Carolina Museum of History

23rd Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration

23rd Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Saturday, November 17th, 2018
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

Musicians, dancers, artists, storytellers, and authors from North Carolina’s eight state-recognized tribes will gather for this popular family event. Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 23rd Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration offers something for all ages and gives a firsthand opportunity to learn about the state’s American Indian culture (with a population of over 120,000), past and present. Activities include craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, games, foods, and much more.

18th Annual African American Cultural Celebration

18th Annual African American Cultural Celebration
Saturday, January 26th, 2019
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, the 18th annual African American Cultural Celebration will feature more than 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, reenactors, and more.

Other events at the North Carolina Museum of History

The Lasting Legacies of World War I
Saturday, November 10th, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

November 11 will be the 100th anniversary of an armistice that ended World War I. Commemorate that centennial with a panel of scholars who will examine and discuss why the “war to end all wars” not only failed to keep the world “safe for democracy” but actually created a number of complications that affect geo-political, economic, and immigration issues to this day. Participants will include:

Charles Knight, Curator of Military History, North Carolina Museum of History
Angela Robbins, Assistant Professor of History, Meredith College
Gregory Vitarbo, Professor of History, Meredith College
Sarah Shields, Professor, Department of History, UNC–Chapel Hill
Dan Bolger, Veteran and Distinguished Visiting Scholar, North Carolina State University
Carolyn Happer, Professor Emerita, History, Political Science, and International Studies Department, Meredith College
The Museum Shop will offer active and retired military personnel (with ID) a 20 percent discount Veteran’s Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10 – 12).

The North Carolina Museum of History Associates (MOHA) will offer active and retired military personnel (with ID) a discounted membership as well: $10 off the Scribe ($40), Archivist ($65), and Patriot ($90) levels. (The prices in parentheses are the prices WITH the discount.)