December Programs at the North Carolina Museum of History
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There’s a full slate of holiday programs at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh for this December! Make sure to check out their website to get more information.
DECEMBER PROGRAMS AT THE N.C. MUSEUM OF HISTORY

December programs will get you in a festive mood at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. On tap are three children’s holiday programs, Hanukkah music with a popular klezmer dance band, and a special night with artisans at the Museum Shop.
Another program will feature Eleanora Tate, author of the groundbreaking children’s book Just an Overnight Guest, which has been made into a short film starring Richard Roundtree and Rosalind Cash. See the film, followed by a discussion, Q&A, and book signing.
During a lunchtime program, Joe Lindley, president of Lindley Mills, in Alamance County, will highlight the history of the mill, established by Thomas Lindley in 1755, and its present-day operation. Sample French bread made with Lindley Mills flour.
The year winds up with First Night Raleigh: North Carolina Firsts. The Children’s Celebration takes place at the N.C. Museum of History.
All programs are free unless otherwise noted. Parking is free on weekends.
NOTE: The museum will be closed for the following holidays: Christmas, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25; and New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.
*Time for Tots: Deck the Halls

Tuesday, Dec. 1 or 8, 10-10:45 a.m.
Ages 3-5 (with adult)
$3 plus tax per child; $1 plus tax for museum members
To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-807-7979.
Learn about some of your favorite holiday decorations, then put together a colorful paper chain to deck your own halls at home!
*History Corner: Christmas Trees
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10-11 a.m.
Ages 6-9 (with adult)
$3 plus tax per child; $1 plus tax for museum members
To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-807-7988.
Why do some people put trees inside their homes in December? Learn about this holiday tradition and its ties to North Carolina. Afterward, make an ornament to take home for yours.

*History Hunters: Holiday History
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Ages 10-13
$3 plus tax per child; $1 plus tax for museum members
To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-807-7988.
Growing Christmas trees is one of North Carolina’s biggest industries. But how did trees become a holiday symbol? Find out, and create an old-time decoration.
First Fridays at the Museum
Friday, Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m.
Do you shop locally for holiday gifts? This special night will spotlight some North Carolina artisans featured in the Museum Shop with demonstrations and hands-on activities. Visit the shop and receive a 20 percent discount on all items! Three exhibits will be open during the evening.
Taste samples of hard cider from Bull City Ciderworks in Durham or craft beer from Southern Pines Brewing Company in Southern Pines (organized by the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild), while their supplies last.
*Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes: Museum Mysteries
Saturday, Dec. 5, 1-4:30 p.m.
$11 per Scout
Register by Nov. 23 at nccoastalpines.org. For information, call 919-807-7988.
Earn this patch as you learn how to look at everyday objects in a new way, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a museum works.
Film Screening and Book Signing: Just an Overnight Guest
Sunday, Dec. 6, 2-4 p.m. Film at 2 p.m., followed by discussion, Q&A, and book signing.
To register, visit NCMOH-programs.com. For information, call 919-807-7979.
Eleanora E. Tate, Author, and Nancy Tolson, Assistant Director of African American Studies, University of South Carolina
Just an Overnight Guest was a groundbreaking children’s book in 1980 because it explored the themes of abuse, foster care, adoption and homelessness. Tate’s compassionate book was also a short film (not rated; run time: 38 min.), starring Richard Roundtree and Rosalind Cash. Following the film, Tolson will lead a discussion, Q&A session, and book signing with Tate.
History à la Carte: The History and Tastes of Lindley Mills
Wednesday, Dec. 9, noon-1 p.m.
Bring your lunch; beverages provided.
Joe Lindley, President, Lindley Mills
Lindley Mills, on Cane Creek in Graham, was established by Thomas Lindley in 1755. Now, 260 years after its inception, direct descendants have restored the historic mill, and for the past 35 years, the ninth generation of Lindleys has been grinding organic grains there.
La Farm Bakery of Cary will bring samples of French bread made with Lindley Mills flour.
Music of the Carolinas: Freylach Time!
Sunday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m.
Free tickets for this concert are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 2 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of Hanukkah music with one of the most popular klezmer dance bands in North Carolina. The core trio, formed in Durham in 1998, features Riki Friedman on clarinet, Mike McQuown on accordion and Stewart Aull on string bass. Karen Kumin will sing Yiddish songs. The performance is presented with PineCone and support from the N.C. Museum of History Associates and Williams Mullen.
Canned food donations will be accepted for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Bring them to the event or to the museum from Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 13.
*First Night Raleigh: North Carolina Firsts
Thursday, Dec. 31
2-6 p.m. Children’s Celebration
6 p.m. People’s Procession (takes off in front of the museum)
7-11 p.m. Nighttime events in Daniels Auditorium
First Night button required for entry. For more information, call Artsplosure at 919-832-8699 or visit artsplosure.org.
Learn about some of the more unique and fun “firsts” that our state can lay claim to: miniature golf and . . . salamander diversity?
For information about the N.C. Museum of History, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or YouTube.
* marks programs of interest to children or families
When he’s not sampling barbecue, George Taylor can be found writing about Disney and theme parks at ImagiNERDing and as one of the two devastatingly handsome co-hosts of the Communicore Weekly podcast (the Greatest Online Show™). When he’s not writing about theme parks, he’s probably thinking about riding one of his favorite roller coasters!