North Carolina State Capitol, State Library Highlight Civil War Documents in '2nd Saturdays' Program

RALEIGH, N.C. - July 25, 2013 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. – How do historians learn about the past? One of the best ways is by examining old documents, or primary sources, often found in libraries and archives.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, staff from the Capitol and State Library will display authentic Civil War-era materials from the library’s collection and offer tours of the recreated library on the Capitol’s third floor, where the state stored many of these important documents throughout the war.

This event is a great way to learn about the variety of research materials available in your State Library and see how North Carolina’s governor and other elected officials led the state from their offices at the Capitol throughout the Civil War. The free event will take place at the State Capitol from 1-4 p.m., with tours at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The Department of Cultural Resources’ 2nd Saturdays summer programming showcases North Carolina’s culture, heritage and arts.  The final 2nd Saturdays programs for this year will be on Aug. 10.  For a complete schedule of more than 100 2nd Saturdays programs across North Carolina, go to www.ncdcr.gov/2ndsaturdays  or call 919-807-7385.

The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. It is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The State Capitol is at One Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27601. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/default.htm or call (919) 733-4994 for more information.

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 is to enrich lives and communities by creating 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 spurring the economic stimulus engine 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 to offer experiences of learning and reflection. NCDCR's State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state to develop and to offer access to educational resources through traditional and online collections including 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.