50 Years of Museum History

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – From its inauspicious beginnings in an old highway patrol building in 1967 to its 50,000 square foot facility on the Elizabeth City waterfront today, the Museum of the Albemarle for 50 years has told an expansive story of the people and culture of northeastern North Carolina. Programming in its 50^th anniversary year of service holds true to its mission offering education and interpretation on the region and beyond.

“From American Indians to watermen to the Coast Guard, we are committed to presenting both well-known and obscure facts about the region,” says Museum Curator Wanda Lassiter. “We offer the old and new, the familiar and unique, so that we will remain fresh and a valued asset to all citizens as we go into our next 50 years.”

“The Museum of the Albemarle encourages citizens and visitors to understand the past, reflect on their own lives and to preserve this history for future generations,” observes Bill McCrea, director of regional history museums, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The Museum of the Albemarle 50^th Anniversary exhibit “50 Years of Museum History” will open during a black-tie celebration on April 21, 2017 from 7 to 11 p.m. The Friends of the Albemarle will host the gala which will include a live band, dancing and dinner. Tickets are available at the museum for purchase. Please join us on Saturday, April 22, 2017 for a public exhibit opening at 10:00 a.m.with a ribbon cutting. A special invitation is extended to former Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle board members and former staff for the ribbon cutting.

A range of programming, book signings, camps, summer fun days, and lectures on a wide range of topics are offered at the museum to celebrate the birthday. The April 9, 2:30 p.m. program, “Looking for the Tomb of Joseph of Arimathea” is a pre-Easter examination of archaeological evidence, ancient sources and research of Professor Robert Smith to evaluate candidate locations for the tomb used to bury Jesus. Other events include a “Founders Day Tea,” June 4, “Children’s Birthday Party,” July 8, “Theodosia Burr Portrait Exhibition,” August 2017-February 2018, and a symposium on “Northeastern North Carolina Women of the Underground Railroad,” October 5-7.

About the Museum of the Albemarle

For additional information, please call (252) 335-1453 and check social media sites. The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 South Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Website: www.museumofthealbemarle.com.  Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed Sundays and State Holidays. The Museum of the Albemarle serves thirteen counties:  Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. Museum of the Albemarle is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums within the North Carolina 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 (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.