A Brief Look at the Exhibit Sections

Visitors to A Call to Arms: North Carolina Military History Gallery, will see artifacts from 11 wars. Each exhibit section focuses on North Carolina’s involvement in one of the 11 wars, from the American Revolution to the war in Iraq. A glimpse of the many facts and items in each exhibit section follows.

American Revolution

The American Revolution ended two centuries of British rule. North Carolinians were among the first Americans to defy British policies, including 51 women who participated in the “Edenton Tea Party” in 1774. A Call to Arms features a tea caddy from the family of Mary Bonner and her daughter Lydia Bonner, who signed the Edenton Resolves at the Edenton Tea Party. Other exhibit items include a cannonball from the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge and a drill manual with an account of the battle.

War of 1812

During America’s second war against England, naval captain Johnston Blakeley from North Carolina became well known for capturing British ships. Featured in the exhibit is a commemorative medal of Blakeley cast in 1814. A cutlass with scabbard carried by an American sailor and a British M1809.75-caliber flintlock musket, ca. 1812, are among other items.

Mexican-American War

During the war, North Carolina deployed a small volunteer regiment, and some Tar Heels served in regular army units. On exhibit are a militia sword carried by a soldier in the First Regiment N.C. Volunteers, and a glass flask with images of Gen. Zachary Taylor and Warren County’s Capt. Braxton Bragg.

Civil War

More than 125,000 white Tar Heel men served the Confederacy, and over 40,000 of them died during the war. In addition, as many as 15,000 white and black North Carolinians served in Federal regiments. A Call to Arms features Colt revolvers, rifles, swords, a double-spouted canteen, battle flags, a Union field desk and more.

Spanish-American War

The United States entered the war against Spain on April 20, 1898. Raleigh native Worth Bagley, executive officer of the USS Winslow, was the first American officer killed in the war. On view are his uniform coat, trousers, sword and medal. Other artifacts include service rifles, a haversack and a Spanish army military machete.

World War I

More than 86,000 Tar Heel men and women served in World War I. Person County’s Robert Lester Blackwell was the only North Carolinian awarded a Medal of Honor during the war. A Call to Arms features his Medal of Honor, along with weapons, helmets, gas masks and other items from American and Allied forces and German armies.

World War II

During World War II, more people trained at military bases in North Carolina than in any other state, and numerous women entered the workforce to help the war effort. In the exhibit are items associated with Raleigh-born Tuskegee Airman Vernon Haywood, objects captured from Japanese and German soldiers, and more.

Korean War

North Carolina provided both men and women for the Korean War, and thousands from other states trained at Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg. Visitors will see items that include a Korean flag and a Soviet-designed PPSH-41 submachine gun, a weapon widely used by Communist forces in Korea.

Vietnam War

Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Fort Bragg expanded to handle the increased numbers of people in military service. More than 1,500 North Carolinians died during the war. The exhibit features an M14 rifle, which was largely used by marines in Vietnam, a U.S. Vietnam Service medal and other items.

Gulf War

North Carolinians from Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Fort Bragg and 20 N.C. Army Reserve and National Guard units served in the Gulf War. In addition to items used by Tar Heel soldiers, A Call to Arms includes an Iraqi helmet, a gas mask and other artifacts.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Learn about the service and sacrifices of the soldiers of the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade of the N.C. National Guard during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the brigade’s tour of duty in Iraq, Guard members secured items ranging from a gas mask from Saddam Hussein’s army to a new Iraqi police uniform.

For more information about the museum, call 919-807-7900.

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