Second Saturdays kicks off at historic sites, museums across state this weekend

This Saturday, events include a event focusing on toys and games at the N.C. Museum of History, a craft festival at Duke Homestead and Rail Days at the N.C. Museum of Transportation.

Posted 2:50 p.m. Jun 8, 2011 — Updated 2:50 p.m. Jun 8, 2011

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

It's time for the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources' Second Saturdays series, a collection of (mostly free) events at historic sites and museums across the state on the second Saturday of June, July and August.

It all starts this Saturday.

These are family-friendly events which, in many cases, will have special activities just for kids. It's a great opportunity to explore places you've always wanted to see or even take a day trip to places outside the Triangle region. The events will take place at 100 spots across the state.

This Saturday, events are planned at 16 locations in the Piedmont region, which includes the Triangle.

Some examples of events this Saturday: Artisans from across the state will demonstrate their skills at Bennett Place in Durham. Duke Homestead will have an herb, garden and craft festival. Historic Stagville in Durham is planning a music festival.

The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh will host Family Day: Toys and Games from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The free event includes a gallery hunt to search for toys in exhibits and crafts. There also will be jump rope games; races; bowling; and chunkey, a traditional American Indian game. Sounds like a great way to kick off a summer and get some ideas to prevent choruses of "I'm bored."

And if you're up for a drive, the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer will hold its Rail Days Festival on both Saturday and Sunday. The annual bash celebrates all things that run on the rails. Spencer is a couple of hours from the Triangle.

To get more information about Second Saturdays and all of the events that are part of it, check the Second Saturdays website.

And as an aside, I'm hearing that the N.C. Museum of History does have some openings in its summer camps if you're still looking. These are half day camps for kids who have completed kindergarten to eighth grade. Click here for information.

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