Chapel Hill Historical Society

Join us at the Seymour Center on Saturday, April 18, at 2 PM for a talk by Richard Ellington on prisoners of war in North Carolina!

Learn about Teacher Tuesdays at the North Carolina Museum of Art!

Teacher Tuesday: Special Exhibition Access for Educators (Spring 2026) – NCMALearn Educators enjoy exclusive access to Knowing the West: Visual Legacies of the American West. This is a self-guided program; tickets are limited and are available on the hour at 4, 5, or 6 pm.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Mae McLendon, community leader and Chapel Hill Historical Society member. You can read about her life and achievements at

Chapel Hill And Carrboro Community Leader Mae McLendon Dies At 76 - Chapelboro.com Mae McLendon, a longtime public figure in Chapel Hill and Carrboro politics and volunteer organizations, passed away at the age of 76.

Join us at the Seymour Senior Center on February 28 at 2 PM for this encore presentation!

With sadness, we report the passing of our long time board member and treasurer, Eleanor Morris (1934-2026). A native Chapel Hillian, she was also Director of the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid at UNC for many years. Our reading room in the Midway Building is named in her honor for her many years of dedicated service to the Chapel Hill Historical Society. You can read her obituary at https://www.legacy.com/legacy/eleanor-morris

Today, January 24, is not only a weather alert day, but a weather anniversary day in Chapel Hill. The greatest snowfall ever recorded in Chapel Hill took place from Monday evening, January 24, 2000, to Tuesday morning, January 25. Over 20'' of snow was recorded in what the Chapel Hill News called "one of the most powerful winter storms on record." 7300 of Duke Power's 43,000 customers in Orange County lost power as a result of the storm; Interstates 85 and 40 were both shut down, with over 150 tractor/trailers jackknifed across the highway, blocking the road. 16 or 18 stranded motorists needed to be rescued. Governor Jim Hunt declared a statewide emergency.
Public schools were closed and the University shut down. UNC Hospitals dispatched four-wheel drive vehicles to transport medical staff and patients. When asked what people would do to occupy themselves while stranded at home, Chapel Hill Mayor Rosemary Waldorf replied, " I figure there will probably be a lot of babies born around Sept. 25."
Watch WRAL's weatherpersons reminisce about "Snowmageddon" at

Raleigh's snowmageddon: Breaking down the biggest snowstorm in 2000 January 24-25th, 2000, nicknamed "Raleigh's Snowmageddon", brought over 20 inches of snow to parts of the Triangle, and just two days prior, forecast models showed next to nothing.

Holiday greetings from the Orange County Historical Museum!

12 Days of Christmas - Museum Edition Merry Christmas from the Orange County Historical Museum!

Happy Holidays from the Chapel Hill Historical Society!

Kudos to Dr. Sally Smith for her contributions to the community! Read more at

Orange Slices - December 23, 2025 It’s amazing how many Chapel Hillians feel compelled to share their love of this place with others. There is something about the mystique, character, and historic accomplishments of Chapel Hill that makes people want to share it, showcase it, and steward it.

Congratulations to Chapel Hill Historical Society Life Member Sally Greene on her appointment to the North Carolina Historical Commission!

Governor Stein has appointed Commissioner Sally Greene to the North Carolina Historical Commission. Commissioner Greene is a lawyer, historian, and Orange County Commissioner who has written extensively about North Carolina’s 19th-century legal history.

The North Carolina Historical Commission is an 11-member board that advocates for the relevance of the state’s history to contemporary life. It sets policies for historical preservation and approves memorials, statues, and historical items on state property, while advising the state on preserving historic sites and records.