Raleigh, NC

Paintings, photos, documents and other relics of Raleigh's past are housed in the Raleigh City Museum. The story of North Carolina's capital city is told in a variety of mediums, from detailed paintings to meticulously preserved documents and more. The interactive element is very much alive at the museum as well, as walking tours, lectures, and various other types of presentations make learning about the city's past a fun, memorable experience.

Address: 220 Fayeteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 - MAP
Phone: (919) 832-3775
Web: www.raleighcitymuseum.org

Raleigh's Contemporary Art Museum began in 1983 as the City Gallery of Contemporary Art and was established to complement the city's other museums by focusing solely on contemporary works. The name changed to its current moniker in 1996, the same year it was relocated to the city's Warehouse District. Change is embraced at the Contemporary Art Museum, as the roster of exhibits and shows is constantly updated and added to, so checking it out regularly is a great way to stay on top of the latest cutting edge artwork in Raleigh.

Address: 409 West Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 - MAP
Phone: (919) 513-0946
Web: www.camraleigh.ncsu.edu

The Joel Lane Museum House tells the interesting story of how Raleigh came to be. As you walk through the house that is adorned with vintage furnishings and other genuine relics of the period, you'll hear the story of how Lane, a prominent statesman and soldier, sold the 1,000 acres of his land for the formation of a new capital in 1792. Built in 1770, this is the oldest existing home in the Wake Forest community and its preservation not only tells the story of how it all happened, it allows visitors to have a new-found pride for the capital city.

Address: 728 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 - MAP
Phone: (919) 833-3431
Web: www.joellane.org

The Spring Hill House is a registered historical building and is currently the home of the North Carolina Japan Center. The institution is also part of the NC State University's Centennial Campus. Many layers of historical relevance are here for learning, as this structure was once the main house of a plantation. The building has undergone numerous structural changes, not the least of which was a full-scaled renovation in 2000 and 2001. The stories that are preserved and retold here all make up the long, far-reaching chain of events that link it all back to Raleigh's origins and development.

Address: 705 Barbour Drive, NC State Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC 27603 - MAP
Phone: (919) 733-5454
Web: www.ncsu.edu

The Gregg Museum of Art and Design is North Carolina's mecca for artists who work in all mediums as well as those who are aspiring to express themselves but don't know exactly where to start. The Gregg prides itself in presenting the best work from local, regional, national and even international artists for not only the purposes of education, but for inspiration as well. Architectural drawings, works on paper, ceramics, paintings, photography as well as work with textiles and metal make up the constantly changing catalog of exhibits on display.

Address: 2610 Cates Avenue, 2nd floor, Talley Student Center, Raleigh, NC 27607 - MAP
Phone: (919) 515-3503
Web: www.ncsu.edu

The African American Cultural Art Complex is more than just a summation of what African Americans have contributed to the development of the state, but also a celebration of victory over obvious circumstances that now brings a sense of dignity and respect to a people who were subjected to so much for so long. Fields that were enriched by the African American influence include science, politics, the arts, and medicine. Key figures who contributed are also featured on the African American Hall of Fame and get their much-overlooked story finally told in a way that casts their plights in a much more sympathetic light.

Address: 119 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 - MAP
Phone: (919) 250-9336
Web: www.aaccmuseum.org