The NC Museum of History to close for years for renovations
The North Carolina Museum of History, which gets nearly a half million visitors a year, will close for renovations lasting two to three years.
▪ The third-floor exhibits of the downtown Raleigh museum will close June 3.
▪ The first-floor exhibits and the physical museum building will close Oct. 7, though the museum shop will remain open through Dec. 29, 2024.
“We’re embarking on an incredible journey, and what awaits us on the other side is nothing short of extraordinary—reimagined exhibits that will bring North Carolina history to life,” said Brad Wilson, interim director of the museum and Division of State History Museums.
The museum gets 465,000 visitors a year, including over 83,000 schoolchildren, according to its website.
Its square footage won’t change, but the renovations will make the museum “feel energetic and alive,” with “more information, more opportunity for interactive, colorful displays,” Wilson said.
The museum is working to enhance its online resources to offer digital exhibits and tours during its physical closure.
How much will the renovation cost?
Funding for the $180 million project comes from the state budget. The museum received $39.2 million in the last budget, The News & Observer previously reported.
Originally called the “Hall of History,” the museum has called its current location on East Edenton Street home since 1994. Some of the renovations will include behind-the-scenes infrastructure work that’s been needed for years.
“It’s a 30-year-old building,” Wilson said during an interview. “And it’s had a lot of traffic and a lot of use..”
The renovation will include replacing heating and air conditioning units, installing a new freight elevator and fixing leaks.
Work on a “move out” plan is underway, requiring specialty movers to transport exhibits out of the museum during construction.
“The treasures of the people of North Carolina, that are currently stored here on site, (are) in a secured and environmentally sound environment,” Wilson said. :Now, all of that will have to be moved out of the museum to a yet to be determined destination that will be equally safe, secure and environmentally optimal.”
The museum still has activities and events planned in the months leading up to its closure including the Longleaf Film Festival May 10-11..
