Continuing a decades-long tradition at the North Carolina's Capitol, Gov. Mike Easley and First Lady Mary Easley will light the colorfully decorated state Christmas tree Wednesday, Dec. 10. Sponsored by the Junior Woman's Club of Raleigh and the N.C. State Capitol staff, this free, public celebration will begin at 5 p.m. with luminaries being lit on Capitol Square and holiday music being sung by the St. Mary's School of Raleigh Chorale. At 6:15 p.m., the governor and first lady will hang wreaths on the Capitol's west door and light the state tree afterwards.

After the tree lighting, holiday festivities will continue with local performers entertaining guests on Capitol Square and on Bicentennial Plaza. Santa Claus and mascots from local sports teams also will join the celebration. At 6:30 p.m., the State Capitol's annual holiday open house will begin. As it has for more than 30 years, the Raleigh Garden Club is decorating the historic building and for this Christmas season, the décor will reflect the theme "North Carolina Home for the Holidays." Performances by the Farmington Woods Hand Bell Choir and the Wake Med Chorus will continue in the rotunda until 7:30.

As part of the celebration, the N.C. Museum of History and the museum's gift shop will be open as well. Visitors can see the giant decorated tree in the museum lobby, play with old-fashioned toys and games, make a paper pine tree ornament to take home and visit the "Museum Sleuths" exhibit in the lobby.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will also offer hands-on activities and "meet the animals" for children on the first floor. Coincidentally, there are a few additions to the museum's activities for families this year. A special lecture related to the current Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit will begin in the museum auditorium that evening at 7, titled "The Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Christianity." The ticket cost is $25 (or $20 for Museum Friends members). In addition, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit will stay open an hour later than normal; ticket sales end and the last entry into the exhibit will be at 5 p.m. A special menu of light refreshments will also be served at the museum's Acro Cafe from 5:30 until just before the lecture begins. Both museums will be open until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.

The State Capitol ceremony is sponsored by the State Capitol Foundation, the Raleigh Garden Club, the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (State Historic Sites Division), the N.C. Department of Administration (Facility Management), the N.C. Museum of History, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and the Junior Woman's Club of Raleigh. This event also includes free parking after 5 p.m., both along the street and in state government lots. Concessions will be available.

The State Capitol Open House will continue with musical performances on Thursday, Dec. 11, and Friday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1-4 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Capitol will also host a Confederate Christmas encampment by the 6th NC Troops re-enactors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds. Costumed re-enactors will demonstrate Civil War camp life and period crafts for visitors.

A National Historic Landmark, the N.C. State Capitol is one of the finest and best-preserved examples of the Greek Revival style of architecture in the U.S. It features a domed rotunda and state senate and house chambers, meticulously restored to their 1840 appearance. Until 1888, its granite walls housed all of state government and the legislature met here until 1961. Today the governor and his staff still occupy offices in the Capitol.

The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the architecture, history, and functions of the 1840 Capitol building and Union Square where it is located. In downtown Raleigh, the State Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington streets. Free parking is available in state lots near the Capitol. For more information on the State Capitol call 919-733-4994 or go to http://www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/default.htm.

Administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, the State Capitol is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina's arts, history and culture. Join the Cultural Resources 2008 theme observance of "Telling Our Stories." For more information, visit www.ncculture.com.

Related Links

1. Local Holiday Guide