2nd Saturdays Events Across North Carolina, July 12

From a press release:

2nd Saturdays Events Across North Carolina, July 12

Whether sampling hearth cooked cornbread or barbecue, listening to spoken word performance, checking out the heart of a whale, or learning to make a handkerchief doll, something of interest will be happening at the July 12 2nd Saturdays programs across North Carolina. More summertime family fun will be served up at destinations within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources for free or at budget-friendly prices statewide.

WEST

Horne Creek Historical Farm, Pinnacle. Fabric and Fiber Arts Festival. Demonstrations of quilting, crocheting, making a handkerchief doll and other skills. Stories about quilting and expert advice on conservation and care of textiles. Handmade items from local artisans in a marketplace also. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Gov. Zebulon Vance Birthplace. Weaverville. Encampment of the North State Rifles. The living history group North State Rifles portrays common Confederate soldiers from North Carolina with camp life demonstrations, musket drills and uniform talks. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Asheville. Writers at Wolfe – Heather Ross Miller. Heather Ross Miller, of a well-known North Carolina writing family, reads from her works. The distinguished Professor Emeritus from Washington and Lee University grew up in Badin and often uses the old aluminum-smelting town as background to her tales. 10 a.m.

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), Winston-Salem. Peppercorn Theater Performance and Art Making. Draw a drum and make musical instruments in advance of the Peppercorn Theater performance of Billy and the Golden Pencil. Artmaking 10 a.m. to noon, free; performance 2 p.m., $5.

EAST

Somerset Place, Creswell. Days Gone By. A hands-on, fun filled day of historic games and activities, tours of the newly restored Collins house and other buildings, costumed interpreter demonstrations and samples of hearth-cooked food. Afternoon performances of slave narratives by the acclaimed Barefoot Theatre at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Performances are $10, other activities are free.

Historic Edenton, Edenton. Historically Fit. Yoga in the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse will improve your strength and flexibility in a beautiful and special setting. Extra mats will be available. After the refreshing class, tour the historic building. 11 a.m. to noon. Free.

Historic Halifax, Halifax. Community Yard Sale. The yard sale will take place on the grounds of the historic site, adjacent to the visitor center at 25 Saint David St. in Halifax. Also visit the 1838 jail or 1790 Eagle Tavern, or other buildings of the site. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.

Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington. Battleship 101 and Under the Sea with Submarine USS North Carolina. Volunteers throughout the ship will discuss subjects including gunnery, sick bay, engineering and shipboard life of World War II. Submarine vets will explain the newest USS North Carolina christened in 2007, and its technologies, equipment and anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missions of the 21st century. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with regular admission.

N.C. Maritime Museum, Southport. NC Wild. Learn lessons about coastal creatures large and small, how oysters are the hard working maids cleaning the sea, or what happens to injured shore birds and how humans can help. Kids can make fishy crafts with museum educators. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.

N.C. Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Whale Day. Learn lessons about the 34-foot sperm whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling then see and touch the 900-pound whale’s plasticized, basketball sized heart. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.

Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City. Out of the Blue-Coast Guard Aviation. Try on U.S. Coast Guard uniforms and become part of a SAR (Search and Rescue) mission. Enjoy the Coast Guard Aviation exhibit, learn Guard history and try hands-on activities. Hear the reading of “Mayday! Mayday! A Coast Guard Rescue” at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Pony rides for a fee. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 CSS Neuse, Kinston. Weapons of the Civil War. View two private weapon collections that demonstrate dramatically changing Civil War weapons technology. Small arms and weapons from large to small and common to obscure, including marlinspikes, torpedoes, grappling hooks, rifles, cutlasses and others will be displayed. Costumed interpreters, firing demonstrations and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free.

Aycock Birthplace, Fremont. Community Yard Sale. Hunting for a bargain? Visit the yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also visit the site’s one roomed school house and four-month-old lambs. Rain date July 26. Free.

PIEDMONT

N.C. Museum of Art, Raleigh. Family Fun Saturday – Handmade Books. Explore the colorful and lyrical children’s book illustrations in the exhibit, Tall Tales and Hugh Hearts:  Raủl Colὁn, and create a handmade book inspired by the exhibition. Gallery tour and studio workshop for families. Register at (919) 715-5923. 10 a.m. $5 for nonmembers.

N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. Make It, Take It: Sew a Stitch. Watch Andy Sterlen work on an 18th century gentleman’s coat during his Artist at Work program, then learn to stitch a patch or sew on a button. Noon to 3 p.m. Free.

N.C. Symphony, Raleigh. Summerfest: Around the World with the Von Traps. The story of the family who escaped Austria, moved to the U.S., and has inspired generations with music from the film The Sound of Music, released in 1965. The great-grandchildren of captain and Maria von Trapp continue the family history. The North Carolina Symphony does not play during this performance. 7:30 p.m. $37.50.

Duke Homestead, Durham. Pork, Pickles and Peanuts:  Tastes of North Carolina. Help judge and vote for the People’s Choice Award in the pie competition or the barbecue cook-off. Don’t miss the 1940s style Miss Tobacco contest, or demonstrations of cooking tasty pork treats. Sample from peanut and pickle vendors and enjoy performances of the band Steph Stewart and the Boyfriends. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Town Creek, Mt. Gilead. Dr. Coe’s Birthday Bash! Help celebrate the birthday of the “Godfather of North Carolina Archaeology” and learn a little about the science he loved. Dig in the dirt with hands-on experimental archaeology activities for the young and young at heart. Ice cream, cake and lemonade served at 1p.m. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, Sedalia. African American Arts Festival. Songs! Drums! Storytelling and dance! Performer and storyteller Fred Motley celebrates the spoken word and ties that tradition to history. Dancing Stories will share traditional songs, dances and stories that promote community values, such as integrity and perseverance. Campus tours. 1 to 6 p.m. Adults $2; free to under age 18.

For more information, please visit http://www.ncdcr.gov/2ndsaturdays.