Blog Entry List
Carla Osborne, Wake County How has North Carolina shaped your own story?
Jaja Staana, Cabarrus County How has North Carolina shaped your own story?
Lisa Cummings, Robeson County How has North Carolina shaped your own story?"North Carolina became my home in the early 80’s. From Arkansas roots I never expected to come to love North Carolina like I do. From the towering pines to the costal waterways, North Carolina has something for anyone to see and experience. I love North Carolina. My home sweet home."Tell us something about your town, city, or community.
Larry Sutton, Sampson County How has North Carolina shaped your own story?"The fact that North Carolina has not been able to fully come to terms with its racist past motivates me to strive to make the state a more just and equitable place to live."Tell us something about your town, city, or community.
Sarah Faison, Cumberland County How has North Carolina shaped your own story?"My fellow North Carolinians have been very friendly and kind to me. I relocated June of 2021, and I have felt the warmth of many (family, friends, team members, gardeners, business owners and team members). Feeling welcome into new communities is a game changer."Tell us something about your town, city, or community.
Tiffany Smith, Northampton County Tell us something about your town, city, or community.
In the heart of colonial North Carolina, beneath the towering longleaf pines, an industry flourished—one that kept the mighty British fleet afloat and expanded the empire’s reach across the seas. Naval stores—tar, pitch, turpentine, and rosin—were the lifeblood of maritime supremacy, sealing wooden ships against the ravages of salt and storm. Yet, behind this booming trade lay a grim reality: the brutal toil of enslaved Africans and poor white laborers who endured misery to fuel the empire’s ambitions.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, artists, historians, and everyday citizens are finding new ways to reflect on the nation’s founding. One such creative undertaking is America’s Tapestry, a collaborative, handcrafted exhibition led by 27-year-old artist and researcher Stefan Romero.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. This occurred more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. As the oldest national commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth is a time for reflection, education, and celebration. It is also a powerful opportunity to highlight the resilience and contributions of Black communities, both past and present.
In the slow-moving waters of eastern North Carolina, history has a way of surfacing—sometimes quite literally. Earlier this month, a prehistoric dugout canoe emerged from the South River near Autryville, North Carolina, appearing not as a relic in a museum case but bobbing gently in the water, as if waiting to be reclaimed.
On Capitol Square in downtown Raleigh, a weathered bronze figure stands between two cannons. It’s a familiar sight, but one with deeper meaning as the state prepares for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The life-size statue of George Washington, dedicated on July 4, 1857, recently underwent its first conservation treatment since the mid-1980s.
Alana Gomez, America 250 NC Educator, State Archives of North CarolinaFor Alana Gomez, history isn’t just something to study—it’s something to share, question, and bring to life. As an America 250 NC Educator with the State Archives of North Carolina, Alana is helping shape how the state commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States in ways that are inclusive, reflective, and relevant to a wide range of audiences.
As the American Revolution began after Lexington & Concord, Cumberland County, North Carolina was heavily populated by Scottish Highlanders, many of whom had Loyalist sympathies. 1 However, not all were opposed to independence. A group of Cumberland men were involved in a local committee that had connections to the Wilmington Safety Committee and decided to take a stand for the Colonialists in the debate with the Crown while not quite declaring independence.
Patriots, history lovers, and champions of American heritage—it is time to rally together! Our great nation is on the verge of commemorating 250 years of resilience, ambition, and revolutionary spirit. But this is not just a passive commemoration—it is a call to action!
Amanda Brantley, Site Manager, House in the Horseshoe State Historic SiteAmanda Brantley was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but her passion for public history has taken her across centuries. As the site manager at House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site, Amanda doesn’t just oversee one of the state’s most dynamic Revolutionary War landmarks. She also plays an active role in bringing its history to life through living history interpretation and hands-on education.