North Carolina Museum of History Shares New Renderings of Future Educational Spaces

As construction continues at the North Carolina Museum of History, the museum has released new renderings that offer a look at the future visitor experience. The spaces are designed to create more opportunities for learning, community engagement and public programming when the museum reopens.

The museum, a part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is undergoing a major renovation that will expand the building by 40,000 square feet, including 25% more gallery space. The museum remains on track to reopen in 2028.

The newly released renderings highlight learning and community spaces that will serve students, teachers, families and other visitors. These spaces will accommodate everything from school field trips and teacher workshops to family programs, lectures, demonstrations and community events.

A black box theater will provide an adaptable setting for lectures, films, performances and educational programs. Its flexible design will allow the museum to configure the space for different programs and audiences.

A demonstration kitchen will give visitors a dynamic setting to explore North Carolina's history and culture through food. The space will host cooking demonstrations, educational programs and interactive experiences.

New classroom spaces will support hands-on learning through modular furniture, movable walls, integrated technology and collaborative learning areas. Its adaptable design will accommodate school groups, workshops, family activities and other museum programs.

"This project is about honoring the trust North Carolinians place in us to care for their history," said C.J. Roberts, director of the Division of State History Museums. "We're building a space worthy of the stories, artifacts, and traditions that define our state so they can be preserved and shared for generations to come."

Construction crews are finishing up demolition and preparing the building for renovation work expected to begin later this year.

Although the museum building remains closed, its mission continues. During the renovation, museum staff continues to offer statewide K-12 educational programming, host public festivals and events, and share traveling exhibitions, free of charge, with museums, libraries, schools and other organizations.

For more details, visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.

About the N.C. Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History connects the people of our state with the past. Through the collection, preservation and interpretation of North Carolina's history, the museum cares for more than 150,000 artifacts and shares stories from across the state through exhibitions, educational programs and statewide outreach. The museum is currently closed for renovation and is scheduled to reopen in 2028 with updated infrastructure improvements and additional gallery space. During this time, the museum continues to engage audiences through in-person programs, virtual offerings and partnerships across North Carolina. The museum is part of the Division of State History Museums within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.