November 2010

The Onslow County Museum actively pursues the acquisition of artifacts for the museum’s collection that are related to or relevant to the history of Onslow and the surrounding region. Once under the museum’s care, they are registered, researched, cataloged and stored according to standard museum practices employed by the Collections department. The scope of the approximately 6,000 object collection is diverse but at the same time specific, including these major categories: archival materials such as historic documents and books, agricultural tools, textiles, household items, and photographic images. Many of these artifacts are used in both permanent and temporary exhibits that reflect either the history of Onslow County or an aspect of history that is of interest to the general public.

During much of the Colonial period, North Carolina was without a fixed capital. Governors lived in their own homes and the Assembly moved from place to place, meeting in private homes, and in courthouses when available.

In 1722 the Assembly selected Edenton as the capital, but years passed before modest government facilities became available. By then the center of the population had shifted southward, and the government again became migratory.

Several efforts to establish a seat of government failed until 1766, when the town of New Bern was selected. Construction of Governor Tryon's Palace began in 1767 and was completed in 1771. This new structure served as the governor's residence and office, as well as a meeting place for the Upper House. However, when New Bern was threatened by enemy attacks during the American Revolution, the government took to the roads again, meeting in both coastal and inland towns of the state. The "palace" soon became neglected and in 1798 all but one wing burned to the ground.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art stands as a major center of American art, both historic and contemporary. Founded “for the purpose of encouraging American Genius,” the Corcoran’s extensive collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th century American art represents most significant American artists. The Corcoran possesses a fine collection of European art as well. While continuing its efforts to represent historic American works, the gallery also encourages modern European and American artists by showing and purchasing their work, paying particular attention to artists in the Washington area.

While at Mordecai, visitors can tour other historic structures which have been moved to Mordecai Park for preservation, including the Birthplace of Andrew Johnson. Mordecai Historic Park is also home to the Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours which make one hour narrated tours around downtown Raleigh every Saturday, March through December.

The recorded history of Oak View began in 1829 when Benton Southworth Donaldson Williams purchased a tract of land in eastern Wake County from Arthur Pool for $135. The property included 85 acres and several outbuildings. Williams continued to acquire land and holdings over the next 30 years and completed construction of a two-story Greek Revival I-Frame house in 1855.

The state historic site commemorates significant events in the Polk administration: the Mexican-American War, settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, and the annexation of California. Reconstructions of typical homestead buildings—a log house, separate kitchen, and barn—are authentically furnished.

This Granville County society's purpose is to discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area: its' exploration, settlement, development, and activities in peace and in war; its' progress in population, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufacturers, trade and transportation. It will collect printed material and material objects illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities of the past and present for the museum. The society will provide for the preservation of such material and for its' accessibility through the Granville County Museums which are administered by the society.

The Spring Street Historical Museum's building was constructed in the 1860s as Tally's Bank and is one of the oldest remaining buildings in downtown Shreveport. The building retains one of Northwest Louisiana's few remaining examples of New Orleans-style cast-iron gallery grillwork. The original bank vault and door are located on the ground floor. Since 1976, the building has been owned and operated by the Shreveport Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames in Louisiana who oversaw its restoration and placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Spring Street Historical Museum currently operates under the Secretary of State's Museum Program. The first floor of the museum features a transportation and historic maps. The second floor parlor exhibits traveling costumes.

During his lifetime, John Ericsson revolutionized several facets of technology. The Swedish-born engineer-inventor is best known for his work during the Civil War when he transformed naval warfare through his design of the iron-plated USS Monitor. The movements of Ericsson’s pencil across his drafting board were as crucial to victory as the movements of Lincoln’s armies across battlefields.

The George Mason Memorial, dedicated on April 9, 2002, honors the little known but widely felt contributions of an important founding father. The memorial is located in West Potomac Park near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Born in 1725 George Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights and later attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787.