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Tomorrow, Saturday, June 12, is a big day for the Department of Cultural Resources.  We are unveiling our 2nd Saturdays programs at state historic sites and museums all across the state.  Each event will reflect the unique character of place, and we have a lot of fun planned.

We know that visitors will enjoy the mix of history, skilled craft artists, and authentic North Carolina culture, whether they are on a day trip, a “staycation,” or a vacation.

Over the next three months, we will 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. 

Our arts, culture and heritage belong to a creative industry that plays a huge part in the state’s economic recovery.  2nd Saturdays will share our rich history with summer tourists and families alike, while at the same time putting dollars in the pockets of artists who display their work.

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

The largest battle of the Civil War in North Carolina took place near Four Oaks in the last days of March 1865.  Recently, I was one of some 50,000 people who traveled to Johnston County to watch a reenactment that marked the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville.

When I arrived on a Sunday morning at Bentonville Battlefield I came upon row after row of tidy canvas tents, with wood smoke rising from carefully tended campfires. Strolling along a lane of sutlers – merchants – gave me a better understanding of what people of the era needed – fancy and plain dresses and bonnets, high button shoes, and plenty of riding saddles and harnesses. Reenactors – nearly 2000 dressed in gray and 800 dressed in blue – tended to their breakfasts, drilled, and prepared their weapons and themselves, for the “battle” ahead.

History helps us understand people and society, and prepares us for the future by deriving lessons from the past.  And, as the broad fields that stretch out from the visitor center at Bentonville remind us, history comes alive in the places where it happened.

The battle reenactment was exciting.  To be on the same land and hear cannon fire and the sounds of horses neighing and shouted commands was quite an experience! And yet, the crowd was quiet, watching the dramatic scene unfold.   State Historic Sites Director Keith Hardison, Bentonville Site Manager Donny Taylor, and Historic Sites staff and volunteers did a great job helping a lot of people get their hands on history.

The 37 state Historic Sites and history museums are a boon to the local economy in both urban and rural areas.  For instance, reenactors came from as far north as Vermont and Canada, and as far south as Tampa. Families are looking for value, time together, and learning opportunities – that’s what Cultural Resources helps provide every day.

As the spring continues there will be other commemorations of the 145th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, including a reenactment of the largest surrender of troops of the War, at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham on April 17-18.  Union and Confederate military encampments, merchants, artisans, and musicians will be part of this special commemorative event.

Cultural Resources is hard at work getting ready to begin the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which will take place from 2011 through 2015.  For more information, you can go to www.nccivilwar150.com.

Each year, the North Carolina Awards are a chance for us to honor the men and women who, in the words of early explorer Ralph Lane, make North Carolina “the Goodliest Land.” 

Last Thursday night, it was my honor to stand next to Gov. Perdue on stage at the North Carolina Museum of History as she presented the Award, which is our state’s highest civilian honor, to six outstanding North Carolinians.

Since 1964, more than 250 people have received the gold-colored medallion that marks exceptional service to the state.  This year’s recipients were Gerald Barrax for Literature; Joseph M. DeSimone for Science; Bo Thorp and Mark Peiser, both for Fine Arts; and Hugh L. McColl, Jr., and Betty Ray McCain, both for Public Service.

A packed auditorium watched videos detailing the many accomplishments of this year’s recipients, and we heard from each of them too.  Another stirring moment came when 25 past recipients in attendance that evening stood and were recognized.

All of our North Carolina Award-winners have influenced our state, our nation, and our world.  I can truly say that they are North Carolina’s greatest cultural resource.

Shown from left are: Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle, recipients Joseph DeSimone (Science), Hugh McColl Jr. (Public Service) and Bo Thorp (Fine Arts), Gov. Bev Perdue, recipients Gerald Barrax (Literature) and Mark Peiser (Fine Arts), 2009 awards committee chairman Jack Cozort and recipient Betty Ray McCain (Public Service). (Photo courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)

Earlier this month, I spent Storytime at the Reynolda Manor Branch of the Forsyth County Public Library in Winston-Salem.  I read to a crowd of eager young library fans, and we had a ball!

As Secretary of Cultural Resources, I oversee the State Library, which works with public libraries around North Carolina.  Summer reading programs have just concluded at our public libraries, but there are lots of activities year-round – free, fun, educational programs that cover art, music, and history, along with other reading activities.

Libraries are important community gathering places, and have also become portals for information about job hunting skills, resumes, and other things that our citizens are hungry for.  The State Library tells me that libraries are busier than ever helping patrons of all ages.

If the late, great Dr. Seuss had been a North Carolinian, he might have said:

In North Carolina, we love to read.
Kids and grownups love to read indeed.
Libraries, it can be agreed
Will grow our future at lightning speed.
So, volunteer to read, fill a need, plant a seed.
That’s how we’ll succeed.

The Fourth of July is a time to remember our freedoms and how they were won.  History comes alive in the places that it happened.  All 27 North Carolina State Historic Sites are open on July 4, and many have special events to mark Independence Day. 

The State Capitol in Raleigh will host a free family Independence Day celebration called the “Old-Fashioned 4th" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  See how people in North Carolina celebrated the nation’s birthday in days gone by, and enjoy a patriotic concert.  Don’t forget to bring a picnic basket, and plan to visit the North Carolina Museum of History, too!

In Wilmington, the Battleship North Carolina will hold its annual free Battleship Blast on July 4 at 9:05 p.m.  You’ll be able to see the show, which is the largest choreographed fireworks display in the state, all over historic downtown Wilmington.  The Battleship will close at 6 p.m. that day.

Fourth of July festivities at Tryon Palace Historic Site and Gardens in New Bern will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  You’ll hear performances by the Fife and Drum Corps and enjoy crafts and children’s games, all for free.  Don’t miss the annual dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11 a.m.

Historic Halifax is presenting a day of free patriotic and family-friendly activities at both the state historic site and throughout the colonial-era town on July 4. From 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., visitors can tour historic buildings, check out colonial toys and games, see a parachute jump, listen to music, and ooh and ah at the traditional fireworks display.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is partnering with the Town of Manteo and students from Western Carolina University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts to present “America Celebrates” at 8 p.m. on July 4.  The free performance, along with fireworks provided by the Town of Manteo, will be held at the park’s Outdoor Pavilion.

Find out more about N.C. Historic Sites and other cultural activities at www.ncculture.com.

Yesterday morning I extended a North Carolina welcome to 1500 researchers attending the National Genealogical Society conference in Raleigh. One of the most used parts of the State Library is our Genealogy Collection in the Government and Heritage Library. The family histories, published abstracts, periodicals, county histories, and reference materials that are found in the Collection are a connection to the past that helps inform the future for families in North Carolina and beyond. The North Carolina State Archives is one of the largest and busiest state archives in the country. On average, about 9, 000 patrons visit in a year. Researchers request over 20,000 boxes of original documents and use around 30,000 reels of microfilm. Our staff answers over 6,000 phone calls each year. The Archives maintains custody of over 100 million original documents, over 500,000 reels of microfilm and over 1,000,000 photographic negatives.

North Carolinians love history, and the Department of Cultural Resources is hard at work to preserve, protect and promote North Carolina’s story.  In fact, we made history of our own as the first cabinet level state agency in the nation for arts, history, and culture. Our combination of archives, historic preservation, museums, and historic sites makes us the largest public history program in the nation.

Cultural Resources serves more than 19 million people annually through three major areas: The Arts, Archives and History, and The State Library of North Carolina. 

If you have not yet taken a trip to the Genealogy Collection or the State Archives, located at 109 East Jones Street in downtown Raleigh, I would like to invite you to do so. It is open Tuesday-Friday 8:00-5:30 and on Saturday from 9:00-5:00, closed 12:00-1:00. Helpful staff members stand ready to assist you.

Internationally renowned jazz musician Branford Marsalis, just back home from a concert tour on the West Coast, took time from his busy schedule to record a public service announcement this morning for the State Library.  He urged kids and teens to have a great summer – and enjoy their public library’s exciting 2009 Summer Reading programs. Story times, reading clubs, performances and exciting activities will be offered throughout the summer at local libraries.

More than 167,000 youngsters across North Carolina participated in 2008 Summer Reading events.  Parents and grandparents looking for free fun and educational programs, many with art, music, and painting, along with reading activities, can look to their local libraries this summer.

The State Library, which is a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, works with libraries around North Carolina.  Reports show libraries are busier than ever helping readers of all ages find the information they need, on the Web and in books. So, don’t wait until June to go explore fact and fiction at your local library.

This morning I announced the results of a new study, the “Economic Impact of the Professional Craft Industry in Western North Carolina.”  This report shows that craft has an overall economic contribution of $206.5 million to 25 western North Carolina counties, up from $122 million in 1995. This is impressive for any business model.

The study underscores the pivotal economic benefits of craft, often overlooked as we marvel at the creativity of a basket or weaving, a necklace, or piece of glass that is so beautiful it defies description. Other study findings include:

•    There are 130 galleries in Western North Carolina that each do more than $500,000 in annual gross sales each year.

•    The greatest concentration of craft education centers in the country is in Western North Carolina.

•    The number of artisans in the region has increased 198 percent since 1995.

The “Economic Impact of the Professional Craft Industry in Western North Carolina” is another potent tool that we at the Department of Cultural Resources, and our colleagues who also work in economic development, can use when we talk about the importance of the creative industry in North Carolina.  It’s true – craft not only feeds the heart, but it feeds families all across the mountains.

The study was commissioned by Handmade In America, the UNC Center for Craft Creativity and Design, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Haywood Community College, Penland School of Crafts, and the University of North Carolina at Asheville.  The full report can be viewed at www.craftcreativitydesign.org.

One of the things that makes North Carolina so attractive to people from all walks of life is that authentic cultural experiences abound – from watching a potter work her wheel… to hearing a jam session of mountain music… to exploring a literary trail.  We have a rich culture, one that reaches from the Atlantic to the Blue Ridge and, thanks to craft, around the world.

The Department of Cultural Resources plays an important role in attracting new jobs and businesses to North Carolina, and a new interagency partnership will help get our citizens back to work. 

As people hunt for jobs they are increasingly turning to public libraries for help and access to the internet.  For example, many top retailers no longer accept paper applications.  Librarians are busier than ever assisting customers researching jobs at public computer terminals.

In response we are going to train librarians to help people connect with employers and conduct job searches at public libraries.  The JobSearch Help Desk will conduct workshops across the state that will focus on North Carolina’s statewide electronic database consortium NC LIVE plus print and online tools for job search skills, such as resume writing.  Each regional workshop will include panels with Employment Services Commission and Department of Commerce work force development professionals to share information on the related services and resources available.

When trained, librarians can help as "employment guides" for their customers.  Right now jobs is the top priority for North Carolina and Cultural Resources will play a big part.