Join Town Creek Indian Mound and the Montgomery County Public Library in Troy in celebration with the North Carolina Science Festival’s Statewide Star Party April 13! “The Moon and Beyond” is the theme for 2019 in commemoration of the Apollo moon landing and the “giant leap” that left the first human footprints on the moon.
Between 1 and 4 p.m., both locations will offer hands-on, STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, math) activities that will allow kids of all ages to learn more about the moon, along with specially fitted telescopes for safely viewing the Sun. A special “lunar-edition” story time also will be offered at the library at 1:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., the party continues at Town Creek with more hands-on activities, the “What’s Up” sky orientation program in the auditorium, and telescopes available for viewing the many craters, mountains and ancient lava flows on the lunar surface. All activities are free and open to the public; registration is requested for the evening event at https://goo.gl/2nrFZM or contact the site at towncreek@ncdcr.gov.
For more than 1,000 years, American Indians farmed lands later known as North Carolina. Around A.D. 1000, a new cultural tradition arrived in the Pee Dee River Valley. Throughout Georgia, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and western and southern Piedmont North Carolina, inhabitants built earthen mounds for their leaders, engaged in widespread trade, supported craftspeople and celebrated a new religion.
The mission of Town Creek is to interpret the history of the American Indians who once lived here. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits and audiovisual displays. A national historic landmark, Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site is North Carolina’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Tour groups are welcome and encouraged. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m., and is closed Mondays and most major holidays.
The historic site is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. It is located at 509 Town Creek Mound Road, Mount Gilead, NC, 27306. For more information on Town Creek, visit www.towncreekindianmound.com.