Local & Virtual Events Calendar

This will be a narrated slideshow about the Trading Road shown on the 1733 Moseley Map of NC. There is no record of any court-ordered wagon roads in the backcountry at the time Moseley made his map, yet there it is, arcing like Interstate 85 across the Carolina Piedmont. Research into this peculiarity surfaced a good deal of information about when this road was pioneered, by whom, and why it was built. That information provides the core of the presentation and will open up possibilities for discussing who used it after it was built.

About the speaker: Tom Magnuson
Tom Magnuson was born and raised in Minnesota. He entered the Merchant Marine while in high school and worked summers on river and lake craft. After high school he became a “blue-water” seaman for a year before trying college. Finding school not to his liking he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and after four years in the Marine Corps (1965-1969) he married and returned to college. He earned his BA and MA in American History while employed as a research specialist in the integrated circuit industry. A shortwhile later, while employed by the US Navy Special Projects Office, the Navy sent him to the Naval Post Graduate School where faculty convinced him to continue his research after completing his course of study. Thus, in 1978 Tom moved to North Carolina to study and work with that great military historian, Theodore Ropp, at Duke University. What started as an avocational interest in North Carolina’s culture and history eventually took over his life and led, in 1999, to his founding of the Trading Path Association as a means of preserving vestiges of that wonderful history threatened by urban sprawl.

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Chapel Hill’s mid-week social is back for its FIFTH year! Some things will be modified, as they were last summer, to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff, but the mingling, sipping, and vibing are all still happening at Wine Down Wednesday! Each week, we invite all ages to enjoy live music, wine specials, and beautiful weather on our patio.

Wine Down Wednesday is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, so bring the whole crew! Small plates, gelato, and sorbetto available for order.

Every Wednesday, we offer…
30% off Wine by the Glass
50% off Wine by the Bottle
Live Music on the Patio 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Free Gelato Toppings for Kids

Click here to learn more!

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Garden will stay open until 8 p.m. every Thursday evening, allowing visitors to enjoy twilight, cooler temperatures, and sunsets at the Garden. This opportunity was identified by our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee as a way to become more accessible to visitors and reach new members of our community. We are looking forward to strolling with you at dusk this summer! 

Hours and Admission

Our display gardens will be open from 9 A.M. – 8 P.M. on Thursdays from June 3 through September 2, 2021. There’s no fee or ticket for visiting, but we welcome donations to support the Garden. Make a donation here.

Getting Here

You’ll be able to park in our main parking lot until 8 p.m., when we’ll lock the gates. Additional parking is available on Laurel Hill Road, behind the Garden. (Note: Besides the back entrance at Laurel Hill Road, all pedestrian gates between the display gardens and nature trails will be locked at 5 p.m.)

What to See

Explore our display gardens, from our Habitat Gardens to our Children’s Wonder Garden to our Carnivorous Plant Collection! Our exhibit hall will also be open, so you can check out our Garden Shop and DeBerry Gallery.

Picnic

Picnics are welcome. There are tables and chairs available in the designated Picnic Area and by the Plant Sale patio, as well as benches and chairs throughout the Garden. You are also welcome to bring a blanket and use it in a lawn area.

Please stay out of plant beds, and make sure you pick up any trash or food items from your picnic area.

Alcohol policy

No alcohol is allowed, as open containers of alcohol are prohibited on UNC’s campus.

Pets

With the exception of service animals, no pets are allowed within the Display Gardens. Leashed pets are allowed on the Piedmont Nature Trails, which are open until dusk.

Safety

Masks are required indoors, including to use the restroom. Outdoors, masks are not required, but they’re recommended if you’re unable to maintain six feet of distance with others. For your safety, please stay on designated paths while visiting the Garden. Read more about our COVID-19 safety policies.

Weather

Twilight Thursdays are rain or shine. We will only close the Garden if there are strong storms, and any closure information will be posted to our website.

Come together at The Forest Theatre under the stars (and trees) with some of your favorite sing-along films! Movies will begin at sundown (anywhere between 8-8:30). Come early to find seating and enjoy The Forest Theatre!

Free & open to all!

THURSDAY, JULY 29: COCO
PG | 1H 46MIN
In Disney/Pixar’s vibrant tale of family, fun and adventure, aspiring young musician named Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors. There, the charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael Garcia Bernal) becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions.

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Last Fridays occur on the last Friday of every month, April – September, 6-9 PM in historic Downtown Hillsborough! We encourage patrons to come out for dinner, catch the entertainment, shop, explore the art walk, and safely circulate around the beautiful, downtown Hillsborough community!

*We require social distancing at all HAC events and programs. We ask that every participant prioritize your safety and the safety of others. Be sure to bring your mask and wear it indoors at all times unless otherwise instructed. If you feel sick, stay home. Maintaining low infection rates will keep Last Fridays going strong! Thank you!

​Click here to learn more!

John Shelton Reed’s years of barbecue lore. A lover of tradition whose study of regional distinctions has made him prize and defend them, Reed writes with conviction on what “real” barbecue looks, smells, and tastes like. He delves into the history of barbecue and even the origins of the word barbecue itself. Other topics include present-day barbecue, Carolina ‘cue and other regional varieties, and recipes daring readers to master their own backyard barbecues.

Anyone with an interest in this signature American food will find themselves immersed in this book’s accessible, conversational, and frequently tart pages. From one of the wittiest and most knowledgeable authors writing on the subject, On Barbecue is essential reading.

Click here to register for this free event!

Classic Drive-in & Dine: The Cookout Party

Let’s come together and enjoy a cookout experience that will take you “back in the day!” Juicy hotdogs with toppings and sides of your choice and cool refreshing drinks will be worth this nostalgic outing. Look forward to live music and drawings for prizes too! Party co-sponsored with Hannah Ruth Foundation.

Call the Seymour Center at (919) 968-2070 to register for free by Saturday, July 24. The event will be held on Saturday, July 31st from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Seymour Center Parking Lot.