Sec. Kluttz Experiences Her First 2nd Saturday at the N.C. Museum of History

Sec. Kluttz with Our State publisher Bernie Mann at the
N.C. Museum of History

While checking out Our State Day at the N.C. Museum of History last Saturday, Sec. Susan Kluttz got the chance to taste s’mores, see a potter in action and enjoy seeing the history of the magazine, among other activities. The program was a collaboration between the magazine and the N.C. Museum of History with the twin goals of celebrating Our State’s 80^th anniversary and offering free family fun as part of Cultural Resources 2^nd Saturdays series which will continue on July 13 and August 10.

Sec. Kluttz with painter Isti Kaldor at The Carrack Modern Art in Durham

While at the museum, Sec. Kluttz visited with celebrated North Carolina chefs, tasting s’mores and a pimento cheese pie and watched potter Hal Pugh throw earthenware pots. You can see some great images of the event here.

Later in the day, the Secretary visited The Carrack Modern Art in downtown Durham. The Carrack is a zero-commission art space in Durham that seeks to empower local artists to forge productive cultural and socio-economic ties with their community through professional, self-curated exhibit and performance opportunities in a space that is not commercially driven.

While there, the Secretary and her husband toured the space with its director Laura Ritchie and met artist Isti Kaldor whose paintings were then being featured. Check out more photos of her visits here.

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Unknown but No Longer Unmarked

Old photographs are amazing – and I’m not talking about pictures of your first day of school or of the dreaded 1980s prom dress.  I mean really old photographs – ones that convey details that have been otherwise lost to time.

An 1895 photograph of the Goldsboro Rifles Monument that showed wooden grave markers led archaeologists to revise their search parameters.

For many years people knew that there were Confederate soldiers buried somewhere near the Harper House at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.  After the battle in 1865, about 20 wounded soldiers who could not be moved were left behind in the care of the family.  As part of the History Channel’s “Save Our History” program, a cooperative effort between the Office of State Archaeology and Wake Forest University Archaeology Laboratories was launched in 2007 to try to locate their graves.  Ground penetrating radar (GPR) was tried a number of times, without results.

But, in 2008 an old photograph was discovered—one that had been taken at the dedication of the 1895 Goldsboro Rifles Monument.  It showed about 20 wooden grave markers and their general location could be distinguished.

Today the Goldsboro Rifles Monument is flanked by headstones that mark the graves of the unknown soldiers.

Using the photograph, archaeologists revised their GPR search parameters and discovered what are called “subsurface anomalies.”  The electronic signatures suggested the presence of graves. These areas were carefully hand excavated, and they were indeed graves.

Last year, the Harper House/Bentonville Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy donated official Confederate headstones to mark the graves of the unknown soldiers.   On Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will hold a 2nd Saturday event called “A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier.”  If you visit, you can see the graves of those unknown Confederate soldiers whose day has come again.

 

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Art Enlivens View

New Bern artist Stan Harmon collaborated with Wilmington sculptor Paul Hill to make public art that combines glass and metal with local themes. A piece with giant Venus Flytraps, “Southern Hospitality,” is steel with colored fused glass, and sits on the waterfront in Wilmington.  Venus Flytraps are native to North and South Carolina only and are found within a 60 mile radius of Wilmington.  Harmon and Hill also collaborated on a sculpture in Fayetteville.

Both towns have 2^nd Saturdays sites – the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Fayetteville.  The popular 2^nd Saturdays program mixes heritage, history, arts, and culture on the 2^nd Saturday of the summer months at all 37 State Historic Sites and museums within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.   

From 1982 through 2000, the North Carolina Arts Council administered the Artworks in State Buildings (AWSB) program which set aside ½% of the building costs of all new state buildings for art. This program resulted in 58 original artist-commissioned pieces and three acquisitions, in addition to numerous donated artworks.

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Lights… Camera… 2nd Saturdays!

In this blog post, intern Carrie Chase reflects on a recent project here at the Department of Cultural Resources.

When you think of an internship, you may think of coffee runs, mundane paperwork, or tedious cold-calls. I am thrilled to say that my experience at the Department of Cultural Resources has been completely contradictory from the dull tasks one may typically expect at an internship.

Yet again, this week proved to be an exciting opportunity to get real-world experience. I was given the chance to write and be featured in a short promotional video for 2^nd Saturdays; the event I have been helping to promote since beginning at Cultural Resources in January.

A quick, 60-second video may sound easy; but I have a whole new respect for anyone who appears on television. I’ve been told in the past I talk very fast, but hearing yourself on camera really gives you a whole new perspective! Learning to pause between sentences or after key words was something I learned that I know will greatly benefit me in future endeavors.

After filming the commercial, I was able to do voice-over for a longer promotional video. My task was to read a script to be played in collaboration with a slideshow of pictures. Simple enough, right? Wrong again! Having to rely on my voice alone proved to be much harder than being on camera. Luckily, my supervisor and the videographer were very kind and patient with me, and gave me valuable tips. I learned a great deal on enunciation, voice inflection, and rhythm. One particular phrase I struggled with was: “There will be plenty of fun!” After my first read-through of this sentence, I was told, “Well you know, that doesn’t sound very fun!” If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

Filming the 60 second commercial and doing a voice-over was exceptionally fun and rewarding, and they are two of many experiences that have helped me grow professionally.  They will be posted on the NC Culture Youtube page soon.

I hope that you find these promotional videos interesting and informative, and (for one last promotion) I hope to see you this summer at 2^nd Saturdays!

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Interns Help Tell N.C. Story

The Department of Cultural Resources is working with interns from N.C. State University, and we wanted them to introduce themselves and talk a little bit about what they will be doing.  You’ll be hearing from each of them over the next few months.  We are tickled to have the help!

 

Hi! My name is Carrie Chase and I’m a senior at N.C. State. I’m majoring in Communication with a public relations concentration. I am excited to have the opportunity to intern at the Department of Cultural Resources!  I am working on 2^nd Saturdays.  As a ‘poor college student,’ I often find myself wondering, “What is something fun I can do this weekend that won’t put a huge dent in my wallet?” 2^nd Saturdays in the answer!   This free, state-wide history and culture program truly seems to have something for everyone. The events will take place at all 27 Historic North Carolina Sites and all eight North Carolina Museums.  Mark your calendars for June 11, July 9, and August 13!
 
Having always been a huge culture fan, this sort of event appealed to me immediately. Who could turn down art, music, food, crafts and history; and all in one place?  And, the longer I live in the wonderful state of North Carolina, the more I appreciate the importance of learning about its history. 2nd Saturdays aims to tell the story of North Carolina in creative and insightful ways. It gives vendors and artists the chance to showcase their creations, and gives the community an exciting opportunity to explore the state.  Stick around… more information to come!

* * *

It is official: working can be fun! My name is Nicole Medlin and I recently started interning for the Department of Cultural Resources. I am a second semester senior at North Carolina State University and will be graduating in May with a BA in Communications, concentrating in public relations, and with a minor in journalism.

While, the idea of graduating in four months is quite intimidating, so far my work with Cultural Resources has been fun and helpful in preparing for what I will be doing in the real world. I have already helped with press releases (that I got to put my name on!). I have also done a lot of reading on the Civil War and the activities that are being planned for the 150^th anniversary. I have always been one to claim a dislike toward history, but as I have researched and read a lot of different things, I am finding myself unable to stop reading!

I am really excited to continue working and learning the ropes at the Department of Cultural Resources. It has been great so far and I cannot wait to see what else I will be working on!

* * *

My name is Natalie Griffith and I’m a senior studying public relations at North Carolina State University. I am thrilled to be spending this semester working on the Civil War 150 “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory” traveling photo exhibit!

The exhibit will be on view at about 50 libraries around the state, and I will be working to help get the word out.

I’m from Hendersonville, N.C. with a love of the mountains. I’m also passionate about culture and have two minors in Spanish and international studies. Last year, I spent four incredible months studying in Barcelona, Spain. This year, I hope to use my history in North Carolina and experience in international cultures to succeed here at the Department of Cultural Resources.

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A gem of a homestead

Guest blogging for nccultureblogger is Casey Owens, our intern who reports on a wondrous 2nd Saturday experience at Duke Homestead.

Duke Homestead, once home to the Duke family that started a worldwide tobacco empire, is an historic gem.  It was a more than perfect setting for the NC culture extravaganza known as 2nd Saturdays.  Walking up to the venue,  I was greeted by the sound of a live band.  There were countless vendors and artists displaying wares of every variety.  From metal sculptures to homemade candles to brillantly colorful flowers and plants, there was never a dull moment. 

One particularly delicious surprise were the lavender cookies.  Like most college students, I am far from being an experienced chef or baker, and I was completely unaware that lavender could be used in food.  I was stunned by the taste and smell of the amazing treats.  I may not know too much about cooking, but jewelry has always been one of the loves of my life. 2nd Saturdays did not disappoint me.  Beautiful, one-of-a-kind works of art designed and made by local jewelry makers were displayed in an array of colors, sizes, materials and styles.  It was impossible to resist purchasing a few pieces

After visiting each vendor and exploring the plethora of booths, I walked past the tobacco field to the historic house of Washington Duke.  In the house, employees were costumed in garments that would have been worn in the house when Duke lived there.  The performers explained the unique qualities of the house and demonstrated the complexities of cooking in the mid 19th century.  The rich aroma of food cooking on the wood stove wafted throughout the house as I explored.

2nd Saturdays was a terrific success and a great afternoon adventure.

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“The lavender shortbread cookies were awesome”

Saturday, June 12, was a super day at Department of Cultural Resources historic sites and museums all across North Carolina as visitors enjoyed 2nd Saturdays events.  Comments included:

“Well done, great stuff.”

“I will be back.”

“Good turnout.”

“I found just the right present for my mom.”

“The lavender shortbread cookies were awesome!” (Click here for a recipe for these and also mint chocolate chip cookies)

“It was great that it was free!”

“A very diverse group of vendors and a nice program.”

“The music was wonderful, and the children’s activities were fun.”

“The birthday cake at the Capitol was delicious, and it was cool to see people picnicking on the grounds.”

“There was everything from birdhouses made from recycled metal to jewelry to prints.”

“We love the programs at the museum and Poe House.  Please keep ‘em coming!  My kids love them so much, and so do I.  I take out of town relatives and friends to these as well.  They love them too!”

A number of sites have posted photos from their 2nd Saturdays events on their Facebook pages, with more being added all the time.  Click here to see more photos from Town Creek Indian Mound.  Click here for great photos taken by the Tar Heel Junior Historians at the Zebulon Vance Birthplace.  Click here for the N.C. Transportation Museum, which hosted Rail Days over the weekend.  And, click here for a look at the fun had at the State Capitol’s 170th birthday.

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2nd Saturdays – First Rate Fun!

2nd Saturdays during the summer of 2010 are going to be a lot of fun in North Carolina.  No matter where you are in the state, authentic culture can be a great escape for a day trip or more.  Participants include artists, archaeologists, blacksmiths, musicians, writers, weavers, photographers, spinners, sculptors, and YOU!

The 37 state museums and historic sites within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources will be buzzing with activities and offer more than 100 free, family fun events on June 12, July 10 and August 14.  Each site will mix crafts, food, music, or arts, to create a unique North Carolina experience.  Click here to see a short commercial about 2nd Saturdays.

We hope that visitors will take away memories, goods from artists, farmers, and craftspeople, and photos.  In fact, we want to see your 2^nd Saturdays photos!  You can post them at our Flickr page here.

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