Calling all adventurers! Beat the summer heat by embarking on an exciting journey through North Carolina’s museums with the Summer Passport Program. Presented by the North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Art, and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, this collaborative initiative offers exciting activities for families seeking adventure.
Interested travelers can participate in this free program from June 1 through August 31 by picking up a complimentary passport—a pocket-sized activity booklet—at any participating institution. Then, dive into an array of engaging activities, including scavenger hunts, exhibit explorations, and interactive sessions. As you journey through these cultural landmarks, collect stamps in your passport to mark your progress. Upon completing visits to all three museums, participants will receive an exclusive North Carolina Traveler patch commemorating their exploration of the state’s rich heritage and scientific wonders.
Nancy Pennington, the youth and family programs coordinator at the North Carolina Museum of History, shares her excitement: “The passport is a fun, free way for kids and families—and others—to investigate our state together. Raleigh is called the Smithsonian of the South for a good reason. Come travel with us!”
For more information, please visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.
About the NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. In 2023, more than 355,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network
Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and other educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina—its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages more than 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the NC Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the NC Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the NC Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit dncr.nc.gov.