February is Black History Month, and several programs at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh will explore the experiences of African Americans in North Carolina and beyond. From a talk about the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot to a lively performance filled with African rhythms, the programs cover a variety of topics.
Other February programs highlight Jewish culture. Watch Chef Penny Rich add a southern touch to the Jewish Passover meal. Her cooking demonstration will feature such dishes as dirty matzoh and Mississippi praline macaroons. After the program, be sure to see the exhibit Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina.
There is all this and more during February at the Museum of History. All programs are free. Parking is free on weekends.

PROGRAMS
*History Corner: Playing with the Past
Wednesday, Feb. 2 10-11 a.m.
Ages 6-9 with adult
To register, call 919-807-7992.
Before Barbie dolls and Wii video games, children played with homemade toys. Learn about historic amusements, listen to a story, and make your own toy. This program is presented with Cameron Village Regional Library.

*History Hunters: Keeping It Together
Wednesday, Feb. 2 10-11 a.m.
Ages 10-13
To register, call 919-807-7992.
How does a museum keep track of its collection of artifacts and make sure they don’t fall apart? Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s conservation lab and try your hand at restoring an “artifact.”

African American History Tour
Saturday, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Explore the lives and accomplishments of African American North Carolinians from the antebellum period to the Civil Rights era.

The Ambidexter Philosopher: Thomas Jefferson in Black Thought, 1776-1877
Sunday, Feb. 6 2-4 p.m.
Mia Bay, Rutgers University
Professor Bay will examine African Americans’ changing ideas about Thomas Jefferson between the American Revolution and the post-emancipation era. This Perspectives on History lecture is presented in conjunction with the National Humanities Center and sponsored by the N.C. Museum of History Associates.

History à la Carte: 1898 Wilmington Race Riot
Wednesday, Feb. 9 12:10-1 p.m.
Bring your lunch; beverages provided.
LeRae Umfleet, Collections Management Chief, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources
In 1898 white rioters in Wilmington violently overthrew a legitimately elected black Republican government, changing the course of politics and race relations in North Carolina and across the nation. Umfleet will discuss the riot and its long-term impact.

*Down Home: Southern Jewish Traditions
Sunday, Feb. 13 1-4 p.m. (drop-in program)
Learn how southern Jews have maintained their traditions. Braid challah bread, make a dreidel, and decorate a mask for Purim. Join students from Beth Meyer Synagogue for games, crafts, and hands-on fun.

Music of the Carolinas: Magic of African Rhythm
Sunday, Feb. 13 3-4 p.m.
This powerful ensemble features traditional African melody, movement and rhythm. Students from Raleigh’s Community Music School will join them for a special program. PineCone co-sponsors the performance.

Cooking Demonstration: A Southern Jewish Passover
Sunday, Feb. 27 1-3 p.m.
To register, call 919-807-7992 by Feb. 23.
Penny Rich, Personal Chef and Caterer
Join Chef Rich as she puts a deliciously southern spin on the Passover meal. Sample such dishes as dirty matzoh and Mississippi praline macaroons, then share stories and swap recipes. This program is sponsored by the Southern Jewish Historical Society.

For more information about the Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or go to ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook®.
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* programs of interest to children or families