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Blog
The North Carolina State Capitol is one of our most visited and recognized landmarks.
But lately, the landscaping around the building has been looking a little rough.
Record heat, drought and other factors have taken a heavy toll on the shrubs and plants surrounding the Capitol, a 170-year-old landmark that houses the governor’s office.
Everybody wants the Capitol to look attractive, but in this economy, Gov. Bev Perdue is looking for ways to save money.
Members of the N.C. Nursery & Landscape Association came to the rescue with a generous donation of more than 600 plants and 20 cubic yards of compost as well as design services. Visitors to the Capitol will see on each corner of the building new plants including dwarf yaupon holly, green mountain boxwood and dwarf hydrangea.
To add a splash of color to the design, the shrubs will be accented by bed of annuals, starting with pansies.
A hedge of dwarf yaupon holly is a smart choice. The plants will look great. But they will also be resistant to drought and disease. Likewise the hydrangea and boxwood will also be able to survive even if there’s less water.
And the plants are going in the ground at just the right time. Plants put in the ground in the fall need less water to take root and will be healthier and heartier in the coming months. Gov. Perdue has signed a proclamation reminding state residents that "Fall is for Planting."
Pictured: Gov. Perdue signs a proclamation noting fall is the best time for planting. She is surrounded by members of the N.C. Nursery & Landscape Association who donated plants and landscape services to the State Capitol.
We all are fortunate to live and work in a time when female leadership in state government is the norm and not the exception. With a female governor and majority on the Council of State, and many more women in executive roles, it is all too easy to overlook the years of struggle and inequity that preceded these accomplishments.
I was reminded of that quite vividly this week during an extraordinary meeting with nine female legislators from different political parties and regions in Pakistan. The delegation had just attended the Council of State meeting – a session led by Gov. Bev Perdue, in which financial and policy reports were presented and votes taken on multi-million dollar transactions. Such public meetings, I learned, do not occur back home.
I was joined by four women – each of whom has experienced "first's" in their professional careers – invited to meet with the group and share our experiences: Linda Carlisle, Secretary of Cultural Resources; Beth Wood, State Auditor; Cherry Berry, Labor Commissioner; and Jenny Lancaster, Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Correction.
Our distinguished guests, here as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, are dedicated to enhancing open government and improving conditions for women. The International Affairs Council, a Research Triangle organization that works to increase global understanding, helped coordinate the visit.
"We are here to see what you do here and to share the things we learn with the women of our country," said one second-term legislator.
Their comments and questions suggest they have their work cut out for them, but they will carry home ideas that may help to improve the lives of all Pakistanis.
Learning about their commitment to help empower women is a strong reminder of how far we’ve come. And realizing that women like us serve as role models around the world is both humbling and inspiring. (Pictured: Michaux addresses the delegation as Leila Bekri, program director of the International Affairs Council looks on.)
When we created Celebrate North Carolina last year, we knew there were so many places and wonderful people in our state to appreciate and enjoy. What we hadn’t realized is that much of it was literally the land right under our feet.
In 1916, North Carolina became the first state in the southeast and one of the first in the nation to establish a state park (at Mt. Mitchell). Since then we’ve secured more than 200,000 acres to protect and enjoy.
This weekend we celebrate our state parks! July 23-25, at parks and recreation areas from the peaks of Mt. Mitchell to the sands of Jockey’s Ridge, park rangers will be offering a wide variety of free and fun programs. Kayaking, hikes, and great environmental education like “Turtle Talk” or “Backyard Pharmacy” are among the hundreds of offerings.
We invite you and your family to visit a state park near you, “to take a closer look,” and to share in the wonder and beauty of North Carolina.
Visit www.celebrate.nc.gov for a complete list of activities.
Tomorrow is June 19, but it is much more than just a summer Saturday. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate and commemorate our African-American heritage. As you may know, Juneteenth celebrates the public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865. The newly freed slaves rejoiced that day and the celebrations have continued through the years as a celebration of African-American independence.
Gov. Perdue has joined the celebration by issuing a proclamation declaring June 19 “African American Independence Day” in North Carolina.
There are also Juneteenth celebrations around North Carolina. I spoke on behalf of the Governor at the Urban League reception this week in Raleigh. And the 6th Annual North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration will be held in Durham this Saturday.
I encourage you to take part in the commemoration of this historic moment of liberty for African-Americans.
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.
It’s the holiday season so make sure you don’t miss all the fun events going on at the Capitol. The Holiday Open House kicks off today, Dec. 10 and lasts until Sunday, Dec. 13. The Capitol is beautifully decorated and there are musical performances all day in the Rotunda.
Also at the Capitol today, there will be a holiday festival starting at 5 p .m. with children’s activities, food, community mascots and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The N.C. museums of History and Natural Science will have exhibits and activities for the children. Did I mention there will be free carriage rides around the Capitol?
Gov. Bev Perdue and First Gentleman Bob Eaves will participate in the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. tonight on the south side of the Capitol grounds. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities!
During our Open House next week we’ll see thousands of visitors from across the state, many of whom have made this visit a traditional part of their holidays. The holiday decorations at the Executive Mansion certainly show off the beauty of the season.
This year we also have some very special decorations that uniquely capture the spirit of the season. One of the trees is decorated with ornaments created by the sons and daughters of military personnel from across the state. This includes children of currently deployed National Guard and active duty troops and also children who have suffered the death of a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan (Gold Star Families). It’s a uniquely beautiful tree that serves to remind us how precious family is and how large a debt we owe to our service men and women.
On Sunday, the 6th, a number of the children and their families visited the mansion to see their ornaments on the tree. While the Mansion rang with the sounds of happy children, friendships were made and renewed and more than a few tears were shed in memory of the losses endured. Perhaps nothing better represents our hopes for peace and happiness this time of year than these children and the wonderful wishes they have shared in their creations.
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)
I'd like to tell you about a new feature on our website, a brief history of each former North Carolina Governor since 1776. Click here to read up on the 66 men that held the Governor’s Office prior to Bev Perdue.
Thank you to the Department of Cultural Resources and in particular historian Michael Hill for putting this together. You can read even more about each former governor in Michael Hill’s book, “The Governor’s of North Carolina.”
The stories of our former governors are just the latest incarnation of a partnership between the Governor’s Office and the Department of Cultural Resources to highlight the history and culture of our great state on the web. Previously, we created interactive websites on the State Capitol and the Executive Mansion and there is more to come.
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