About

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources was formed in 1971 to serve citizens across North Carolina in an outreach to broaden minds and spirits, preserve history and culture, and to recognize and promote our cultural resources as an essential element of North Carolina’s economic and social well-being. It was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Cultural Resources serves more than 19 million people annually through three major areas: The Arts, The State Library of North Carolina, and Archives and History.

The Department of Cultural Resources includes the State Library, the State Archives, 27 historic sites, 7 history museums, two art museums, Historical Publications, Archaeology, Genealogy, the Historic Preservation Office, the North Carolina Arts Council and the nation's first state-supported Symphony orchestra.

Cultural Resources employs about 900 people and has one of the smallest budgets in North Carolina state government. Because of the technical skills required by the department, the education level is high. For example, 100% of the professional staffs of the State Library and the Office of State Archaeology hold advanced degrees.

Founded in 1903, the Office of Archives and History preserves and maintains a record of North Carolina’s rich cultural heritage through the preservation and interpretation of documents, artifacts and buildings, and by promoting history education. It sponsors programs for students and teachers including National History Day in North Carolina, the Tar Heel Junior Historian and the History Bowl. The office includes three divisions – the Division of State History Museums, the Division of State Historic Sites and the Division of Historical Resources.

The N.C. Museum of Art, the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the State Library of North Carolina comprise the Office of Arts and Libraries. These divisions help to provide arts, education and cultural experiences to citizens all across the state.

Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDCR's mission is to enrich lives and communities by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

NCDCR champions our state's creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues.

For more information, please call (919) 807-7385 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.