Upcoming Events
The President James K. Polk State Historic Site has a full calendar of family events, educational programming, historic demonstrations, and other learning experiences for history buffs off all ages. Keep an eye on our social media as well for pop-up events!
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Traveling Exhibit
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NC DIGS Exhibit
What is Archaeology? Why dig? What kinds of archaeological sites are found in North Carolina? Stop by to learn the answers to these questions and more at President's James K. Polk State Historic Site's latest temporary exhibit in collaboration with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Through 2 November 2019 Open during museum hours, Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Included with FREE museum admission. |
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Volunteer Open House
Do you love history? Enjoy interacting with people? Have a special modern or historical skill? Join us! Become a volunteer! Stop by to learn more about what volunteer opportunities we have, take a tour of the site, and meet current volunteers to discuss their experiences. Veteran volunteers are encouraged to attend, brush up on the tour, and share their knowledge with new and prospective volunteers! 12 October 2019 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am Free with Registration | Click here to register. 
A World of Transformation: The Lives of Catawba Indian Women, 1746-1840 Dr. Brooke Bauer is a citizen of the Catawba Indian Nation of South Carolina and her research concentrates specifically on the ways in which Catawba Indian women created, promoted, and preserved a Catawba identity as they adapted to the changes occurring inside and outside Catawba tribal boundaries during the eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century. Her talk looks at women's intimate relationship to Catawba land through their shared history, kinship connections, and their economic productivity. Focusing on these three characteristics, one can see historical continuities in Catawba ways of building a nation through the actions of women. Dr. Bauer is an Assistant Professor of History and Native American Studies at the University of South Carolina Lancaster. 16 November 2019 | 10:30 am - 11:30 am Free with Registration | Click here to register. |
President Polk's Birthday Celebration Our annual celebration of President James K. Polk’s birthday is one of our largest events throughout the year! Join us for historic games, crafts, and living history throughout the grounds of the site. Savor the smells from the fire as the Historical Cooking Guild of the Catawba Valley cooks up a birthday meal, watch as the Catawba Valley Fiber Guild turn tufts of fiber into beautiful hand-spun yarn. All proceeds raised from this the event go to the Friends of the Polk Birthplace (www.jameskpolk.net) a non profit, 501 (c)(3) that supports the educational mission of the museum. Check our website and social media pages for updates on this special event! 2 November 2019 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm $5.00/per car for non-members, FREE for members | Click here to register. 
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Winter Workshop Series
Sew an Apron Join Catawba Valley Fiber Guild volunteers to learn the basics of hand-sewing while completing your very own apron. All skill levels are welcome! 11 January 2020 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $10 per person | Click here to register. 
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Weave a Holiday Basket Join Catawba Valley Fiber Guild volunteers to learn the basics of basket weaving. Participants will complete a basket that includes reeds dyed red for a festive touch. All supplies are included in the price of the workshop. Registration will close December 2, 2019. 14 December 2019 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm $25 per person | Click here to register. Learn to Knit Join Catawba Valley Fiber Guild volunteers to learn the basics of knitting! You will be provided with a set of knitting needles and yarn that will help you get started on simple projects like scarves. The cost of registration includes all the necessary supplies; just bring your curiosity and creativity! 8 February 2020 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $20 per person | Click here to register. |
On-going Events, Demonstrations, and Interest Groups
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Young Hickory Explorers
The Tarheel Junior Historian Association is a group of clubs throughout North Carolina that promote a love of history. More than that, Junior Tarheels learn critical reading and writing skills, advocacy, volunteerism, art, videography, public speaking and more! Clubs are student-run, so join us and help steer the Young Hickory Explorers towards success in 2019 and beyond! Contact Kate Moore at kate.h.moore@ncdcr.gov or by phone at 704-889-7145 with any questions! 4th Saturday of every month
11:30 am - 12:30 pm ************************ Call for confirmation: 704-889-7145 |
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Weekly Fiber Arts Meetup with the Catawba Valley Fiber Guild
Laura Bain of Phun Knits leads a weekly get-together of fiber lovers of all sorts. Those interested in either modern or historic fiber arts are welcome! Whether you knit or crochet; spend hours pouring over the many gorgeous yarn choices or hours spinning the wheel as your create your own yarn; follow a carefully laid-out cross stitch design or free hand an embroidery creation all your own, all fiber lovers are welcome! Please Note: Meetup members will not typically be in costume during meetings, though they would be happy to discuss historic fiber arts with any visitors who stop in. Members interested in historic spinning, dyeing, weaving, knitting, etc. will be encouraged to join Laura and staff members as they share their knowledge with school groups visiting the site. Period-appropriate clothing (1790s-1810) may be provided to those interested in the educational aspirations of the group. |
Every Wednesday
11:00 am - 1:00 pm ************************ Call for confirmation: 704-889-7145 |
Every 2nd + 4th Thursday
September through May ************************ Call for confirmation: 704-889-7145 |
The Historical Cooking Guild of the Catawba Valley
The Historical Cooking Guild of the Catawba Valley is at the site on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, September through May. Use all your senses as you see, smell, and hear about what the average cook would have prepared during the time that James Polk was a boy. The ladies may simply be stoking the fire and researching "receipts" or they might be rendering some bear fat to use in a wide variety of dishes. You never know what you may see when you stop in, but it is sure to be a fascinating glimpse into a time gone by. *The Cooking Guild will return to the kitchen in September* |
