About the North Carolina Museum of History
Visitors from around the world travel to the North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, to discover fascinating secrets and hidden gems from our state's past. Located at 5 East Edenton Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh, across from the North Carolina State Capitol, the state history museum welcomed more than 465,000 visitors a year, including 83,000+ schoolchildren.
Currently, the North Carolina Museum of History is embarking on a transformative journey that will redefine how visitors experience the state’s rich history. As part of this project, the physical museum building is closed to the public for an exciting makeover that will last two to three years. The Museum Shop will remain open to the public through December 29, 2024.
The renovation will usher in a new era for the museum, with reimagined exhibits and interactive experiences that offer deeper insights into North Carolina’s vibrant past. As construction progresses, you can stay connected through virtual and in-person programs, social media, and newsletter updates.
You can contact the Museum at (919) 814-7000. The fax number is (919) 733-8655.
Our Mission Statement
The Division of State History Museums collects and preserves artifacts and other historical materials relating to the history and heritage of North Carolina in a local, regional, national, and international context to assist people in understanding how the past influences the present.
The division interprets history through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications available to the visitor on-site or through distance-learning technologies.
Meet Our Interim Director
J. Bradley Wilson joined the NC Museum of History and Division of State History Museums as interim director February 1, 2024. As interim director, he leads the Museum of History in downtown Raleigh and seven regional sites: the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort, the Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at Hatteras, the Maritime Museum in Beaufort, the Maritime Museum in Southport, and the Tobacco Farm Life Museum that will be developed in Kenly.
Wilson has a 40-year career in law, government service, and health care. Prior to becoming general counsel to Governor James B. Hunt Jr. in 1992, he practiced law in Lenoir for 14 years. During his 22-year career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Wilson held a variety of senior executive roles, including president and CEO from 2010 until his retirement in 2017.
Throughout his career, Wilson has served on numerous public, private, and charitable boards and commissions, including the UNC Board of Governors, the North Carolina Museum of History Foundation, and the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation. Wilson’s experience on the NC Museum of History Foundation board provides him with a deep knowledge of current initiatives related to the Division of State History Museums, and he will ensure that those initiatives continue to move forward during the search for a permanent director. Additionally, Wilson’s experience in executive leadership gives him the expertise necessary to support the division’s staff, review its organizational structure, and manage operations and programs during the period of transition.
Wilson earned a BA in history from Appalachian State University, a JD from Wake Forest University School of Law, and an MA from Duke University.
