As part of its celebration of Women’s History Month, the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will highlight women’s achievements through programs and exhibits.
“Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence!” through September at Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. The poster exhibition from the Smithsonian, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and explores the complexity of the women’s suffrage movement and the relevance of this history to Americans’ lives today. More information about the initiative is at womenshistory.si.edu.
Sponsor Spotlight
“By Hook or By Crook“ program on female pirates at 11 a.m. March 16, N.C. Maritime Museum, Beaufort. The free, in-person program examines the lives of two female pirates whose lives are well-documented because of their exploits. Hear the scandalous stories of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, ranked among the fiercest pirates who sailed during the Golden Age. Their well-documented histories reflect the double standard women of their time faced and their limited options. The program will also be livestreamed via Zoom. Sign up at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com for the Zoom link.
“African American women in the New Bern community from the 1700s through the 1900s” at 7 p.m. March 16, free program at Cullman Performance Hall, N.C. History Center at Tryon Palace, New Bern. Dr. Erroll L. Royal, a graduate of New Bern Senior High School, is a retired educator with 40 years of professional experience as a school administrator in the elementary, middle and high school levels. He is the author of “Pembroke: The Road Less Traveled” and “Traces of Places and Faces of African Americans from the New Bern Community.”
Reading from new book “Drought, Drought, Torrential” by Dr. Susan Schmidt at 2 p.m. March 18, N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort. The program will feature Schmidt, an educator, novelist and editor, reading some of the poems from her latest work, as well as a discussion of the poetry from this publication and her previous works. Following the presentation, attendees will have the chance to meet with the author and have their books signed. Book will be available for purchase at the program.
“Deep Dives into History: The Women Airforce Service Pilots” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18 at the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport. The program will focus on the first female Army pilots who served at Camp Davis in Holly Ridge. The free drop-in program, which is designed for all ages, combines live interpretation, material culture displays and hands-on activities to help visitors understand the role of these women pilots in the U.S. Army. Registration is not required.
“Women of Somerset Place” tour at 10 a.m. March 4 and March 18. Somerset Place State Historic Site, Creswell. Learn about some of the remarkable women who lived and worked at Somerset Place. This 60-minute guided tour will focus on the contributions that enslaved and free women made to the development, maintenance, and infrastructure of the plantation. There is a tour fee of $3 per person, and you can register and pay at the visitor center. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more.
Sponsor Spotlight
In Raleigh
Program highlighting the work of Dr. Helen G. Edmonds, the first scholar to challenge the narrative of the Wilmington Coup of November 1898 is set for 11 a.m.-noon March 8 at the State Library of North Carolina. Edmonds is the first African American woman to earn a doctorate at The Ohio State University and to become a graduate school dean in the country at North Carolina Central University. Through her research, she put forth an accurate accounting of the efforts in the late 19th century to undermine and limit African American political power. The program will be led by one of her former students, Dr. Freddie Parker, professor of history at North Carolina Central University. This virtual program will be recorded and live-captioned.
Live from the Studio: Becky Joye from 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 11, N.C. Museum of Art. Join Joye virtually in her studio as she demonstrates how to create a quilted architectural collage using the interaction of color and pattern. Drawing from her architectural training, Joye uses tape, rulers, and templates to create clean lines and meticulous details in her mixed-media paintings and collages. Free with registration online.
“History @ High Noon: NC and First Ladies” noon March 15, N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Take a walk through North Carolina history with the nation’s first ladies with author and historian Annette B. Dunlap. Our country has had 43 official first ladies, and at least 10 of them have some tie to our state. Register online for the virtual program. An email containing the Zoom link will be sent to all registrants an hour and a half before the program begins.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the state’s zoo, Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship.
