History Happens Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is History Happens Here?: A. “History Happens Here” is a yearlong celebration to tell North Carolina’s stories of struggle and freedom, memorable characters and colorful daily life.
Q. Who is behind the celebration?
: A. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, which includes the State Archives, 27 Historic Sites, 7 History museums, Historical Publications, the State Archives, Archaeology, Genealogy, Historic Preservation, North Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Arts Council, the State Library, and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Q.Why History Happens Here?: A. History provides a framework of common understanding and social discourse. It unites us as a people, inspires and moves us, and adds depth to every day of living.
Q. What is special about North Carolina’s history?: A. Our state lays claim to a number of “firsts” -- from the first English settlement in the New World (Manteo, 1587), first discovery of gold in the U.S. (Reed Gold Mine, Concord, 1799), first state supported symphony and art museum (Raleigh, 1930 and 1947 ).
Q. What is there to do?: A. More than 500 special events and exhibits happening all year long. There will be over 150 events in December alone at State Historic Sites. Of note is a Constitution Week forum about the Bill of Rights.
Q. Who are some influential people in North Carolina’s history?: A.
Virginia Dare was the first child born to English-speaking parents in the new world. She was born on Roanoke Island in 1587.

The pirate Blackbeard is known to have spent time in North Carolina.Probable remains of his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge were found off Beaufort in 1996.

The evangelist Reverend Billy Graham was born in Charlotte and now lives near Montreat.

Sen. Sam Ervin, head of the Watergate Committee was from Morganton.

Ezzell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain — the four students who staged the first sit in protest. The four N.C. A &T students were protesting service for whites only at the Woolworth lunch counter in 1960.

Hiram Rhoades Revels, born in Fayetteville in 1822, was the first African-American member of the United States Congress. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a minister who tended Black congregations in several states.
Thomas Wolfe, author, was born in Asheville in 1900. He shared scenes of his Asheville, North Carolina home in “Look Homeward, Angel” and “You Can't Go Home Again,” novels which have been acclaimed as modern classics.

Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States, was born in the Waxsaw area, on the border of North and South Carolina.

Andrew Johnson, started his career as a tailor's apprentice in Raleigh, North Carolina and rose to lead in the reuniting of the nation as the seventeenth President of the United States.

James K. Polk, born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, was the eleventh President of the United States.

Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, was born in North Carolina.

The inaugural “Strictly Stock” race in 1949 near the present day Charlotte Motor Speedway launched NASCAR sanctioned series.

Jazz legends John Coltrane and Thelonius Monk went from being citizens of North Carolina to citizens of the world, and led music in new directions during the 1950s.

North Carolina is the cradle of outdoor drama. The Lost Colony is the nation’s longest running production and celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2007.

Arnold Palmer recognized as the player whose aggressive play and winning personality raised golf to national attention. He honed his skills on the championship golf team of Wake Forest University.
Q. Where can I find out about North Carolina history?: A. There are more than 550 private and community-based facilities, such as museums, historic house museums, libraries and archives that help 8.5 million citizens in all 100 counties of the state appreciate their authentic heritage and culture. From thousands of years of American Indian culture, still thriving today, to historic buildings marked with Civil War bullet holes and artifacts of World War II enemy subs that cruised coastal waters, or Blackbeard’s pirate plunder— you’ll find hundreds of sites with historical treasures.
Q. What about activities especially for kids?: A. Kids can join the Tar Heel Junior Historians, through the North Carolina Museum of History, to participate in projects that combine learning and fun.
Q.What are resources for historical documents and genealogical records?: A. Since 1903, the Office of Archives and History has promoted the protection and preservation of North Carolina written history, documents, records, and heritage in all its forms, serving more than 75,000 citizen requests in the past year, ensuring that the state is a better place through cultural exchange and historical awareness.
Q. If I am driving in North Carolina, what else can I look for?: A. To plan trips, go to www.homegrownhandmade.com for itineraries and “Art Roads and Farm Trails”. Nearly 1500 of the familiar Historical Marker silver signs offer “spoonfuls of history ” along North Carolina’s highways, and at www.ncmarkers.com.
Q. How can I learn about American Indians in our state?: A. Native people have lived here for some 12,000 years, and their descendants today make up the largest American Indian population of any state east of the Mississippi River. www.cherokeeheritagetrails.org.
Q. What on-line resources are available?: A.www.ncculture,com is a gateway to all of the divisions of the Department of Cultural Resources. Three State Library websites are especially helpful for students: www.ncecho.org, www.nclive.org,and www.ncknows.org.
Q. How big is North Carolina’s history industry?: A. North Carolina is proud to have 2,000 individual historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and 450 historic districts on the National Register, 1,495 Highway Historical Markers across 100 counties, and more than 40,000 recorded archaeological sites, showcasing our heritage for future generations. In 2006,53 preservation tax credit projects representing $82 million in investment were completed for commercial, business, and rental properties. An additional 87 projects with $122 million in expenditures were proposed or are in progress. Also during 2006, the credits resulted in the expenditure of $20 million in private investment to rehabilitate 126 historic residential structures. An additional $16 million in private investment has been proposed or is in progress for preserving and rehabilitating 111 properties.
Q: What is North Carolina’s State Song? Who wrote it and when?: A: The Old North State — Written by William Gaston and composed by Mrs. E. E. Randolph, it was adopted as the State Song in 1927.
Q: Does North Carolina have official state dance music?: A: The state dances are the Shag and Clogging, both of which have unique music that accompanies them. They were adopted by the General Assembly in 2005.