North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

What a whirlwind last night was! During the 60th anniversary of the North Carolina Awards, eight distinguished North Carolinians received recognition for lifetime achievements in the areas of fine arts, literature, public service and science. From trailblazers in science to icons of the arts, this year’s honorees represent the best of North Carolina’s talent and dedication. The 2024 honorees are The Avett Brothers (Scott Avett, Seth Avett, and Bob Crawford) for Fine Arts, William Henry Curry for Fine Arts, Frank A. Bruni Jr. for Literature, Thomas W. Earnhardt for Science, Christina H. Koch for Science, and Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr. for Public Service.

Last night, eight distinguished North Carolinians were honored with the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest honor, by Governor Roy Cooper. The award recognizes significant lifetime achievements in the areas of fine arts, literature, public service and science. The 2024 honorees are The Avett Brothers (Scott Avett, Seth Avett, and Bob Crawford) for Fine Arts, William Henry Curry for Fine Arts, Frank A. Bruni Jr. for Literature, Thomas W. Earnhardt for Science, Christina H. Koch for Science, and Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr. for Public Service. Let’s give a big round of applause to these remarkable individuals who embody what makes North Carolina remarkable. We’re grateful for their contributions and look forward to seeing their continued impact!

In honor of Indigenous communities across North Carolina, it's important to recognize the vital role of Urban Indian Organizations. These facilities provide high-quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate services to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations who live off tribal reservations. In North Carolina, there are four Urban Indian Organizations: Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American Association, Metrolina Native American Association, and Triangle Native American Society. Learn more about these organizations in the 2024 American Indian Heritage Month Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/edzy2kH2

November is American Indian Heritage Month, and one way you can celebrate is by attending the 29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration hosted by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This year's event will be held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Nov. 22 and 23. Find event info here: https://lnkd.in/e79yeZQe #Indigenous #AmericanIndian #NCAIHM

It's the "Year of Public Schools" in North Carolina, and today, Governor Roy Cooper announced $1 million in new funding for the “Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund!” The Fund will help North Carolina public schools in each region of the state have access to enriching field trips to the over 100 North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources locations across North Carolina. “Hands-on learning through field trips is an important part of children’s education but not all schoolchildren have the opportunity to experience them,” said Governor Cooper. “This program will help ensure that public school students have the opportunity to take field trips regardless of barriers like cost or location.” So, teachers, what are you waiting on? Applications are LIVE and DNCR sites are ready to welcome you - from state parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums, the symphony, the zoo, and more! This initial $1 million pilot is made possible by funding from the State of North Carolina and is managed by DNCR in partnership with PBS North Carolina. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/eMu88tRM 🚌 Our team at DNCR is also ready to assist you with questions and the application process. Let's make 2025 a year of exploration, hands-on learning, and adventure! #NCLearningHappensHere #LearningHappensHere

Exciting news! Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced $1 million in new funding for public school field trips with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. The “Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund” will provide North Carolina public school students with access to enriching field trips to the over 100 DNCR locations across the state. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dSY8h-RS

Join the Museum of the Albemarle for “History for Lunch” at the on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 12 p.m.! Dr. Marvin “Marty” Richardson, vice chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, will share insights into the history, culture, language, and contemporary issues of North Carolina’s American Indian tribes, with a focus on the Haliwa-Saponi and their efforts in cultural revitalization, including the Tutelo-Saponi language. The Museum will offer the History for Lunch program in-person and through Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance by clicking here to receive the link. Registration is not required to attend the lecture in person. Register through Zoom: https://lnkd.in/ew9CdeSs

From generation to generation, stories, memories and history has been told through spoken word. These strong storytelling tradition helps connect the past, present and future within tribes and families. In the spirit of storytelling, the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission and the State Archives of North Carolina have teamed up to collect oral histories from individuals within tribal communities across the state. These interviews reflect a variety of topics, such as attending former American Indian schools, military service, economic development, and much more. We invite you to explore NC American Indian Oral History Project: https://lnkd.in/eJ-VcEcr #NCAIHM

The 2024 North Carolina Book Awards, which recognize significant works by North Carolina writers and will be presented Dec. 6 during the annual meeting of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. Since its founding in September 1900, the N.C. Literary and Historical Association has pledged to stimulate the production of literature and to collect and preserve historical material in North Carolina. This year’s winners include: Ragan Old North State Award for Fiction: David Joy for "Those We Thought We Knew." Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction: Elizabeth S. D. Engelhardt for "Boardinghouse Women: How South Keepers, Cooks, Nurses, Widows, and Runaways Shaped Modern America." Roanoke Chowan Award for Poetry: Carole Boston Weatherford, with art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford for "Kin: Rooted in Hope." NC AAUW Young People’s Literature Award: Alicia D. Williams for "Mid-Air." Learn more about the North Carolina Book Award winners: https://lnkd.in/e3WjZ67C Photo credit: North Carolina Digital Collections.

Each November 11, Americans celebrate Veterans Day, which was once called Armistice Day. The date marks the end of World War I, fought by America in 1917 and 1918. Between the years of 1917 and 1918 in North Carolina, over 480,000 men were signed up for the draft and over 86,000 soldiers were sent overseas to fight. Some women volunteered for service with the Red Cross and worked as nurses at home and overseas. At the start of WWI, the U.S. Congress and War Department did not want African Americans to serve. There were no plans for African American troops to serve in Europe at all. However, a shortage in soldiers and a drive on the home front by African American leaders and newspapers to allow for equal service of Black soldiers for their country in times of war pushed the U.S. Congress to allow the formation of limited segregated Army divisions and units. Of those 86,000 North Carolinian soldiers, around 20,000 were African Americans, who were relegated to separate segregated companies and also endured the added burdens of the Army's discriminatory supply and pay policies. World War I, once called the Great War, is an important chapter in the history of both North Carolina and of the country at large. At the time, Americans thought it would be the “war to end all wars.” Check out and subscribe to our NC Stories of Service blog for more stories from our military archives: https://bit.ly/40vobfH Image: Armistice Day parade, 1930, Raleigh, NC from the State Archives of North Carolina.