Fall 2025 Events at NC Archives and Library

We received this message from Friends of the Archives President, George Thomas regarding their upcoming fall event schedule:

Dear Friends, Summer is almost gone, and it's time to thank you for supporting the Friends of Archives. Whether exploring archives for academic purposes, creating an award-winning TV program like Outlander, or working on family history, many 'ah-ha' moments are born from source documents preserved and safely kept at the State Archives of North Carolina. A great deal goes into that effort, and as a member of our 501(c)(3) organization, we hope you realize that your dues play a vital role in protecting our memory of the past. So far, this year has seen significant change, starting with the retirement of long-time director Sarah Koonts. Sarah is wonderful, and it’s hard to imagine her replacement, though the hiring process is underway. We look forward to meeting the new director, who we hope will be announced by the end of the year, possibly at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Expect a robust accounting of this year’s achievements in the year-end report, but for now, we hope you will join us at some of the upcoming events outlined below. 2025 Family History Fair, Saturday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sponsored by the Friends and hosted by the State Archives and State Library of North Carolina, the event will feature presentations on African American genealogy and history. Guest speakers include Renate Yarborough Sander, Desi Yarborough, and Joyce Sharrock Cole. Please register for this free event. 2025 Friends of the Archives Annual Meeting, Saturday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., "For The Brave: Armed Forces Records at the State Archives." Keynote speaker Charles T. Norwood will discuss Wake County’s first African American Legion Post. Discover how to locate your Revolutionary War ancestor within the records at Archives and learn about the Elmer Gibson Collection and its role in preserving the story of racial integration during the Korean War. Also, learn how to add your family member’s veteran stories to the archives and enjoy USO-club-style refreshments. Please save the date now and look for upcoming registration links to join us for this free event. All that the Friends accomplishes is a result of your involvement. Whether you're new to pursuing historic records or a long-time user of archives, we hope you are proud of what has been accomplished and will consider continuing your support for this very special place. Please visit us at foanc.org to become a new member or to renew your annual membership. Payment of dues can be made online or by sending the attached form along with a check. And if, like me, you are reaching the golden years of archival research, consider giving back by making a meaningful contribution to the Friends of Archives. Thank you for your generosity, and please know how truly grateful we are for you. Sincerely, George Thomas, President