North Caroilina Construction News staff writer
Construction is moving forward on a major renovation and expansion of the North Carolina Museum of History, with newly released renderings offering a look at the visitor, learning and community spaces planned for the renovated facility.
The project is being led by construction manager at risk Barnhill-Balfour Beatty-Holt Brothers, a joint venture of Barnhill Contracting, Balfour Beatty US and Holt Brothers Construction. The architectural team includes SmithGroup and LS3P Associates.The museum, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is undergoing an expansion that will add 40,000 square feet to the building and increase gallery space by 25 per cent. The museum remains on schedule to reopen in 2028.
Construction crews are completing demolition work and preparing the existing building for the next phase of the renovation, which is expected to begin later this year.The latest renderings focus on spaces intended to broaden the museum’s role as a destination for education, community engagement and public programming.
Plans include a new black box theater that will provide a flexible setting for lectures, films, performances and educational programs. The space can be reconfigured to accommodate different types of programming and audiences.
A demonstration kitchen will offer another hands-on way for visitors to explore North Carolina history and culture. It will be used for cooking demonstrations, educational programs and interactive experiences centred on food.
The renovation also includes new classrooms designed to support hands-on and collaborative learning. Modular furniture, movable walls, integrated technology and flexible learning areas will allow the spaces to accommodate school field trips, teacher workshops, family activities and other programs.
The expanded and renovated facility is intended to provide more opportunities for students, teachers, families and community groups to engage with the museum.
“This project is about honoring the trust North Carolinians place in us to care for their history,” said C.J. Roberts, director of the Division of State History Museums. “We’re building a space worthy of the stories, artifacts, and traditions that define our state so they can be preserved and shared for generations to come.”
The project will ultimately provide additional space not only for exhibits but also for educational and public programming as the museum prepares to welcome visitors back in 2028.
