North Carolina Office of Archives and History

The North Carolina Office of Archives and History (OAH) is a state agency within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) that oversees the state's public history programs. Its roots trace to 1903, when North Carolina established a formal historical program; that program has since evolved into the present Office of Archives and History. The agency describes its mission as celebrating history from pre-colonial times to the present while safeguarding documentary and material evidence of earlier generations and providing leadership and assistance to government agencies, individuals, businesses, and organizations in stewarding the state's historic resources. The Office of Archives and History operates through several divisions and affiliated entities. The State Archives of North Carolina (SANC) collects, preserves, and provides public access to historically significant archival materials relating to all North Carolinians. State Historic Sites span the state from Manteo on the coast to Weaverville in the west, offering visitors first-hand experiences of places where significant historical events occurred. State history museums interpret more than 14,000 years of history through interactive exhibits and programming while preserving a collection of more than 350,000 objects. The Division of Historical Resources, the Office of State Archaeology, and the State Historic Preservation Office also fall under the OAH umbrella. The agency is closely linked with the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, established in 1900 and among the oldest organizations of its kind in the nation, as well as the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. It also supports heritage commissions such as the NC American Indian Heritage Commission and the NC African American Heritage Commission, and programs including the NC Highway Marker Program, MosaicNC, and the Research and Publications branch. Tryon Palace, a historic site and governor's palace in New Bern, is also part of the OAH portfolio. Public engagement is a significant part of OAH's work. Its "This Day in North Carolina History" blog, launched on WordPress on October 1, 2013, features daily posts on historically significant events across the state. The project was developed by DNCR, the Office of Archives and History, and the State Library. After several years of producing fresh content, the email edition moved to re-runs on October 1, 2016, and the blog was migrated to a new, more searchable platform. A companion book, "This Day in North Carolina History," is available for purchase. The blog organizes posts by themes such as African American history, women's history, and the Civil War, and by institutions such as Duke University, East Carolina University, NC A&T University, and NC State University. As part of DNCR, the Office of Archives and History contributes to a department that manages more than 100 locations across North Carolina, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the N.C. Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, and heritage commissions. DNCR's 2025–2029 strategic plan includes major projects such as a full renovation of the Museum of History, new visitor centers at historic sites, and statewide commemoration of America's 250th Anniversary. The Office of Archives and History thus functions as the state's central public-history brand, uniting archival, museum, archaeological, and preservation functions under a single administrative identity.

The North Carolina Office of Archives and History traces its origins to 1903, when North Carolina founded a formal state historical program. According to the agency's own account, that program "has evolved into what is now our Office of Archives and History (OAH)." The agency's work is rooted in a long legacy of public history in North Carolina, and it now celebrates history from pre-colonial times to the present. Over the twentieth century, the state's historical functions expanded into a network of archives, museums, historic sites, and preservation offices. The State Archives of North Carolina became the repository for historically significant archival materials relating to all North Carolinians. State Historic Sites were established across the state, from Manteo at the coast to Weaverville in the west, preserving places where significant historical events occurred. State history museums grew to interpret more than 14,000 years of history and to preserve a collection of more than 350,000 objects. The Division of Historical Resources, the Office of State Archaeology, and the State Historic Preservation Office were organized to support research, archaeological investigation, and historic preservation. The Office of Archives and History is closely tied to the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, established in 1900 and among the oldest organizations of its kind in the nation; the agency notes that the association's history is interlinked with its own. The Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies also operates in connection with OAH. Heritage commissions, including the NC American Indian Heritage Commission and the NC African American Heritage Commission, extend the agency's reach into diverse communities and histories. Tryon Palace, the historic governor's palace in New Bern, is part of the OAH portfolio, along with programs such as the NC Highway Marker Program, MosaicNC, and Research and Publications. In the twenty-first century, OAH has emphasized digital public engagement. On October 1, 2013, the agency, together with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the State Library, launched the "This Day in North Carolina History" blog on WordPress. The blog featured daily posts on historically significant events in the state. As the agency later explained, finding fresh content each day became increasingly difficult, so on October 1, 2016, the email edition was moved into re-runs and the blog was migrated to a new platform designed to be more attractive and easier to search. A companion book, "This Day in North Carolina History," was also published and made available for purchase. Today the Office of Archives and History operates within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). DNCR manages more than 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the N.C. Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, and heritage commissions. The department's 2025–2029 strategic plan includes major projects such as a new Asia Exhibit at the N.C. Zoo, expansion at Fort Fisher Aquarium, a full renovation of the Museum of History, new visitor centers at historic sites, and statewide commemoration of America's 250th Anniversary. Within this framework, OAH remains the state's central public-history agency, safeguarding documentary and material evidence of earlier generations and providing leadership and assistance to government agencies, individuals, businesses, and organizations to further the stewardship of North Carolina's historic resources.

• 2016

  Email edition of "This Day in North Carolina History" moved to re-runs on October 1; blog migrated to a new, more searchable platform.

• 2013

  "This Day in North Carolina History" blog launched on WordPress on October 1 by DNCR, OAH, and the State Library.

• 1903

  North Carolina's formal state historical program founded, later evolving into the Office of Archives and History.

• 1900

  North Carolina Literary and Historical Association established, among the oldest organizations of its kind in the nation.

The state's central public-history agency, uniting archives, museums, historic sites, archaeology, and historic preservation under one administrative brand within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

• State Archives of North Carolina

  Collects, preserves, and provides public access to historically significant archival materials relating to all North Carolinians.

• State Historic Sites

  Historic sites across North Carolina, from Manteo at the coast to Weaverville in the west, where visitors can experience significant historical places.

• State History Museums

  Interpret more than 14,000 years of history through interactive exhibits and preserve a collection of more than 350,000 objects.

• Office of State Archaeology

  Part of the Division of Historical Resources within OAH.

• State Historic Preservation Office

  Part of the Division of Historical Resources within OAH.

• NC Highway Marker Program

  Program administered under OAH to mark historically significant locations.

• This Day in North Carolina History

  Daily blog and companion book featuring historically significant events in North Carolina.

• Tryon Palace

  Historic site and governor's palace in New Bern, part of the OAH portfolio.

1. 1Office of Archives and History | NC DNCRdncr.nc.gov
2. 2Arts & History | NC DNCRdncr.nc.gov
3. 3This Day in North Carolina History | NC DNCRdncr.nc.gov
4. 4About the Department | NC DNCRdncr.nc.gov
5. 5North Carolina Office of Archives and Historywikidata.org