When Are We Us?

This traveling exhibit explores what it has meant to become American through the lens of North Carolina's past. Visitors will encounter primary source materials—documents, photographs, and recordings—that tell stories of immigration, integration, voting rights, emancipation, and fundamental freedoms as experienced by people in our state. The exhibit is on loan from the State Archives and was made possible through funding from the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. The display runs throughout November at the library's exhibit area and is free to visit during regular library hours. Parents should know that the historical materials on display reflect the perspectives and language of their original creators, which means some documents contain outdated and offensive terminology. This can be a meaningful opportunity to discuss how our understanding of history has evolved, though you may want to preview the exhibit or plan your visit accordingly if your family is sensitive to this content.