North Carolina State Capitol Starts Using QR Barcodes To Teach History

RALEIGH, N.C. - April 26, 2013 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. -- When is a bench more than a bench? When it has a barcode that teaches visitors about North Carolina history.

The State Capitol will unveil a new QR barcode program and host a bench dedication at a public ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, at 10 a.m.  Visitors will be able to scan the barcodes on commemorative benches using smartphones to learn about North Carolina governors and other state leaders.

This is the final phase of a “Seat of Honor” commemorative program that honors men and women who have contributed to the state while working at the State Capitol. Two new benches will be dedicated, one to recognize the State Capitol Foundation, the other in tribute to the "Peanut Man" who had a cart and sold peanuts on the State Capitol grounds for almost 20 years.  His name was Jesse Broyles, and he endeared himself to school children and politicians from around the state. The State Capitol Foundation has supported the preservation and educational efforts of the State Capitol Historic Site since 1976.

Current benches honor governors Beverly Perdue, Michael Easley, James Hunt, James Martin, James Holshouser, W. Kerr Scott, Robert W. Scott, Dan Moore, Luther Hodges, Terry Sanford, John Christoph Ehringhaus and Angus McLean in addition to Secretaries of State Thad Eure and Rufus Edmisten.

All of the commemorative benches were made by North Carolina foundry Carolina Bronze, based in Seagrove, and were paid for by private donations. The QR barcode program was also funded through donations from visitors. Tom Blalock will re-enact the now-deceased “Peanut Man” and the North Carolina Bankers Association will provide freshly roasted peanuts. A light reception will follow the dedication.

The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building. The Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington Streets. For more information, visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol or call 919-733-4994.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan W. Kluttz, NCDCR's mission to enrich lives and communities creates opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Through arts efforts led by the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art; NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and economic stimulus engines for our state's communities. NCDCR's Divisions of State Archives, Historical Resources, State Historic Sites and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina's rich cultural heritage. NCDCR's State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state; developing and supporting access to traditional and online collections such as genealogy and resources for the blind and physically handicapped.

NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives. NCDCR champions our state's creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.