President James K. Polk State Historic Site

In the last 250 years, the US ended slavery in this country. While slavery is not something to be proud of, the United States is the only country that went to war against itself to end slavery. The enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, received the official news of their freedom two years later than those living in the former Confederate states. Juneteenth commemorates this moment of freedom and celebrates the end of an oppressive institution. What do you think it was like to go from being enslaved to a free person? NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites NC African American Heritage Commission
Image: Library of Congress

Some believe in the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, while others regard it as folklore. Which category do you think President Polk fell into? Perhaps someone should check the British Archives as Polk suggests in his letter to George Bancroft (historian and politician).

Over the past 250 years, plants like these flourished in North Carolina. At Polk we grow many native and heirloom plant species. Here are a few blooming right now! North Carolina Historic Sites NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

Southern cooking became a celebrated cuisine over the past 250 years of our country. One of the oldest southern cookbooks, "What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking," was published in 1881 and authored by a black woman, Mrs. Abby Fisher. Mrs. Fisher originally lived in Mobile, Alabama, but at the time of writing this book she and her husband resided in California. How about giving some of these recipes a try this week? NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites The Library of Congress
Images: Library of Congress

Join us for a special cooking demonstration this Saturday. This time the theme is onions. Learn all the historic methods and techniques the Polks may have used to incorporated onions into their cooking. Sample are not available, but the smells are free.

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites

It's that time of year again and our to***co babies are settling into their new home. Thank you to Duke Homestead for getting them started for us! NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites Dukes Homestead ***co

President Polk accomplished a lot during his one term. Here is a snapshot of some major milestones during his first 250 days as President. NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites America250

Join the Historical Hearth Cooks for a demonstration in the kitchen house on June 13 at 10am. Unfortunately, tasting isn't allowed, but the smells are free! NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites

President Polk was making plans to hang out with future POTUS Franklin Pierce. There is no recorded response from Pierce. Do you think he accepted the President's invitation? NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites The American Presidents Podcast

We have fluttering pollinators visiting us today! NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources North Carolina Historic Sites Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation