City of Raleigh Museum
Source: https://raleighnc.gov/places/city-raleigh-museum
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:34
City of Raleigh Museum
Skip to main content
Alert
Thank you for printing this page from the City of Raleigh's Official Website (www.raleighnc.gov)
https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/city-raleigh-museum
04/14/2026 2:35 pm
Visit
Know Before You Go
Current Exhibits
History
Artifacts
Education Programs and Field Trips
Rentals
Volunteers
Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Membership
Programs and Events
Hours
The City of Raleigh Museum is located on Fayetteville Street, housed in the historic 1874 Briggs Hardware Building. Through its motto of “Then, Now, Next,” the Museum seeks to preserve the history and heritage of Raleigh while considering its present and envisioning its future.
919-996-2220
Abby Kellerman
Director
abigail.kellerman@raleighnc.gov
Address
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Map
Visit
The museum curates temporary and permanent exhibits about the City’s people, places, and resources; maintains a collection of approximately 5,000 artifacts; and offers
educational programming
and tours.
Visit Friends of COR museum
for information on supporting the museum.
The museum is free and open to the public.
Know Before You Go
Parking
Due to its location, no reserved parking is available at the City of Raleigh Museum. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free two-hour parking in the city center parking deck (429 S Wilmington St) or free weekend street parking. Street parking is available during the week on Fayetteville St and surrounding roads for a fee.
Accessibility
Accessible street parking spaces are available in the Fayetteville St vicinity.
For updated details, please visit ADA Parking Page
.
Public areas of the Briggs Building are wheelchair, scooter, or Electric Conveyance Vehicle (ECV) accessible. An elevator assists guests in visiting program areas on the ground floor.
Please call
919-996-2220
or speak to a staff member on-site if you have additional questions or to discuss your group’s needs.
Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Inclusion Services staff at
919-996-2147
or
ParksInclusion@raleighnc.gov
.
Current Exhibits
Explore Virtual Museum Exhibits
Planting Power:
100 Years of the Raleigh Garden Club explores a century of history of this major civic organization. Since its founding in March 1925, the Raleigh Garden Club has played a vital role in shaping the city’s green spaces. Its founding mission to create “a garden with a city in the heart of it” has resulted in a century of notable plantings and projects. Visit the exhibit and learn the story of how individual volunteers, in what began as an all-woman garden club, had a major impact on Raleigh's appearance for one hundred years and counting.
The Briggs Adventure:
The Briggs Adventure explores the history of the building you are standing in! Learn about the Briggs Hardware store, the Briggs family, and the architecture of the building.
Hello! We are Raleigh:
Our capital City includes such a vibrant and colorful history which we can’t wait to share with you. The objects, photographs, and stories in the exhibit show you where we came from, reveal how we lived, and tell us who we are today. The City of Raleigh Museum invites you to discover the deep roots of the “City of Oaks” and share in its future.
The People’s Politics - Local Democracy in Raleigh:
How does local government affect you? Does your opinion matter? Can you make a difference? The People’s Politics tells the story of City government and democracy at a local level, from the election of Raleigh’s first mayor in 1795 to issues facing current and future mayors. Using research from City Council minutes and artifacts from the museum’s Collection, this interactive exhibit highlights the citizen's role in law-making, giving visitors the opportunity to examine significant decisions from Raleigh’s past and cast their vote on current challenges facing citizens and leaders of our growing City.
Women of Change: The Legacy of the 19th Amendment:
This exhibit chronicles the quests for equal suffrage in 1920 and what women did with the vote over the next century. Visitors will be introduced to Raleigh’s suffragists, organizers, and elected officials who redefined women’s role in politics. The exhibit celebrates a century of struggle and successes with artifacts, photographs, and displays of women who made change happen.
USS Raleigh:
USS Raleigh is centered around a Spanish cannon which the USS Raleigh captured during its tour of service in 1898. The exhibit features a mural of the ship at sea along with interpretive panels describing the history of the vessel and its service.
Raleigh’s City Flag - Lost and Found:
Did you know that Raleigh is one of only 450 cities with a flag? How did the flag come into existence? Who designed it, and what does it mean? Learn the story of the long journey of our City’s most iconic emblem.
Diamond Days: The History of Baseball in Raleigh:
Diamond Days explores the history of baseball in Raleigh. Visitors enter the ballpark under the Diamond Days archway and start the journey on first base. Travel the bases to learn about Raleigh’s “Dream Team” of noteworthy players with connections to Raleigh’s numerous minor league teams. Wall panels highlight the history of the sport from the earliest days of Raleigh baseball to the final seasons of its defunct minor league teams. As part of a collaboration with MLB Raleigh, the space allows visitors to vote for their favorite mascot for a potential professional team.
Collections Corner of Curiosities:
Have you ever wondered what is not on display in a museum? This exhibit of curiosities will show visitors newly accepted items which are now part of the City of Raleigh Historic Resources and Museums Program Collection, many of which have never been on display before. Learn how the donation process works and how we take care of our City's material culture.
History
Opened in 1865, the Briggs hardware store thrived and soon outgrew its original building. Completed in 1874, a new building was erected on the same site and was heralded as “the tallest building in east Carolina and Raleigh’s first skyscraper.” In 1994, after 120 years downtown, the hardware business was relocated. Three years later, the
A.J. Fletcher Foundation
and
Preservation North Carolina
teamed together to acquire and rehabilitate the structure. The City of Raleigh Museum occupies the first and lower levels of the building.
Read more about the history of the Briggs Building
Artifacts
The City of Raleigh Museum cares for approximately 10,000 artifacts from throughout Raleigh’s history.
Explore the collection online
Education Programs and Field Trips
We strive to make history come alive! Our goal is to provide a variety of hands-on programs that will engage students and get them excited about their local history. Our programs use local historic sites, artifacts, and photographs. Many of our programs correspond to exhibits currently on display at the museum. Some programs will have recommended grade levels, and some can be adapted to multiple grade levels. These programs can be a fun and unique way to meet NC Standard Course of Study goals in social studies, English, African-American studies, and art.
If you are interested in registering your class for a program, please visit the
City of Raleigh Museum Educational Field Trips
page.
Classroom Resources
Sites With Sammy:
A Virtual Field Trip Through Raleigh's History
View Briggs Building Activities
The Briggs Building: Raleigh's First Skyscraper
This video explores the history of the Briggs Building in downtown Raleigh and the impact of people in the local community.
Rentals
Located in the 1874 historic Briggs Building, the City of Raleigh Museum showcases the building’s beautiful storefront as well as its original hardwood floors, pressed-tin ceiling, and other unique architectural details. The museum’s lobby and main galleries as well as its lower-level classroom are available to rent for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, office parties, semi-formals, reunions, workshops, and other events.
Learn more about City of Raleigh Museum Rentals
Rent the City of Raleigh Museum for your next milestone celebration, meeting, or networking event.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering at the City of Raleigh Museum, please contact Abby Kellerman at
abigail.kellerman@raleighnc.gov
or view the volunteer information for the Historic Resources and Museum Program.
Volunteer Opportunities
Events support:
Help the museum put on events for the community. From educational booths during festivals to music programs and more!
Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Membership
As a member, you will help revitalize and preserve North Carolina’s history. You will also enjoy cross program perks at the City of Raleigh Museum, the Raleigh Trolley, Mordecai Historic Park, and Borden, Tucker, and Pope House Museums.
To become a member, please
visit the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum website
.
There are many perks:
Free admission to
select
site and museum events
Free admission for
select
tours
Free admission to
select
lectures
Free admission to Mordecai Historic Park
Free admission to City of Raleigh Museum
10 percent gift shop discount at Mordecai and City Museum
10 percent discount on all site rentals
The Raleigh Register Program Newsletter
Programs and Events
Apr
26
Yoga in the Galleries
1 p.m. • Sunday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-04-26 13:00:00
2026-04-26 14:00:00
Yoga in the Galleries
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
1
First Friday Craft Night
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-01 18:00:00
2026-05-01 21:00:00
First Friday Craft Night
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
8
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-08 18:00:00
2026-05-08 20:00:00
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
Don't miss an unforgettable evening with the authors of Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History, Ian F.G. Dunn and Mary Ruffin Hanbury!
This book is a comprehensive look at the city’s cultural and architectural past and a plea to protect and preserve the landmarks that make our cities unique, connecting us to our shared history. Grab your copy, get it personally signed, and walk away with an exclusive, limited edition bookmark absolutely free.
Details
Location: City of Raleigh MuseumAges: AllCost: Free
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
9
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
6:30 p.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-09 18:30:00
2026-05-09 20:30:00
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
23
Plant Swap
11 a.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-23 11:00:00
2026-05-23 13:00:00
Plant Swap
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
30
Annual International Children's Day
10 a.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-30 10:00:00
2026-05-30 15:30:00
Annual International Children's Day
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
Hours
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Friday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday:
1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Historic Resources and Museum Program
Education Program Offerings
Education Program Request Form
Museum Rental Information Packet
Share
Print
Apr
26
Yoga in the Galleries
1 p.m. • Sunday
City of Raleigh Museum
May
1
First Friday Craft Night
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
May
8
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
First Friday Craft Night
Apr 17, 2026
Plant Swap
Apr 17, 2026
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
Apr 14, 2026
Scroll to top
Skip to main content
Alert
Thank you for printing this page from the City of Raleigh's Official Website (www.raleighnc.gov)
https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/city-raleigh-museum
04/14/2026 2:35 pm
Visit
Know Before You Go
Current Exhibits
History
Artifacts
Education Programs and Field Trips
Rentals
Volunteers
Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Membership
Programs and Events
Hours
The City of Raleigh Museum is located on Fayetteville Street, housed in the historic 1874 Briggs Hardware Building. Through its motto of “Then, Now, Next,” the Museum seeks to preserve the history and heritage of Raleigh while considering its present and envisioning its future.
919-996-2220
Abby Kellerman
Director
abigail.kellerman@raleighnc.gov
Address
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Map
Visit
The museum curates temporary and permanent exhibits about the City’s people, places, and resources; maintains a collection of approximately 5,000 artifacts; and offers
educational programming
and tours.
Visit Friends of COR museum
for information on supporting the museum.
The museum is free and open to the public.
Know Before You Go
Parking
Due to its location, no reserved parking is available at the City of Raleigh Museum. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free two-hour parking in the city center parking deck (429 S Wilmington St) or free weekend street parking. Street parking is available during the week on Fayetteville St and surrounding roads for a fee.
Accessibility
Accessible street parking spaces are available in the Fayetteville St vicinity.
For updated details, please visit ADA Parking Page
.
Public areas of the Briggs Building are wheelchair, scooter, or Electric Conveyance Vehicle (ECV) accessible. An elevator assists guests in visiting program areas on the ground floor.
Please call
919-996-2220
or speak to a staff member on-site if you have additional questions or to discuss your group’s needs.
Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Inclusion Services staff at
919-996-2147
or
ParksInclusion@raleighnc.gov
.
Current Exhibits
Explore Virtual Museum Exhibits
Planting Power:
100 Years of the Raleigh Garden Club explores a century of history of this major civic organization. Since its founding in March 1925, the Raleigh Garden Club has played a vital role in shaping the city’s green spaces. Its founding mission to create “a garden with a city in the heart of it” has resulted in a century of notable plantings and projects. Visit the exhibit and learn the story of how individual volunteers, in what began as an all-woman garden club, had a major impact on Raleigh's appearance for one hundred years and counting.
The Briggs Adventure:
The Briggs Adventure explores the history of the building you are standing in! Learn about the Briggs Hardware store, the Briggs family, and the architecture of the building.
Hello! We are Raleigh:
Our capital City includes such a vibrant and colorful history which we can’t wait to share with you. The objects, photographs, and stories in the exhibit show you where we came from, reveal how we lived, and tell us who we are today. The City of Raleigh Museum invites you to discover the deep roots of the “City of Oaks” and share in its future.
The People’s Politics - Local Democracy in Raleigh:
How does local government affect you? Does your opinion matter? Can you make a difference? The People’s Politics tells the story of City government and democracy at a local level, from the election of Raleigh’s first mayor in 1795 to issues facing current and future mayors. Using research from City Council minutes and artifacts from the museum’s Collection, this interactive exhibit highlights the citizen's role in law-making, giving visitors the opportunity to examine significant decisions from Raleigh’s past and cast their vote on current challenges facing citizens and leaders of our growing City.
Women of Change: The Legacy of the 19th Amendment:
This exhibit chronicles the quests for equal suffrage in 1920 and what women did with the vote over the next century. Visitors will be introduced to Raleigh’s suffragists, organizers, and elected officials who redefined women’s role in politics. The exhibit celebrates a century of struggle and successes with artifacts, photographs, and displays of women who made change happen.
USS Raleigh:
USS Raleigh is centered around a Spanish cannon which the USS Raleigh captured during its tour of service in 1898. The exhibit features a mural of the ship at sea along with interpretive panels describing the history of the vessel and its service.
Raleigh’s City Flag - Lost and Found:
Did you know that Raleigh is one of only 450 cities with a flag? How did the flag come into existence? Who designed it, and what does it mean? Learn the story of the long journey of our City’s most iconic emblem.
Diamond Days: The History of Baseball in Raleigh:
Diamond Days explores the history of baseball in Raleigh. Visitors enter the ballpark under the Diamond Days archway and start the journey on first base. Travel the bases to learn about Raleigh’s “Dream Team” of noteworthy players with connections to Raleigh’s numerous minor league teams. Wall panels highlight the history of the sport from the earliest days of Raleigh baseball to the final seasons of its defunct minor league teams. As part of a collaboration with MLB Raleigh, the space allows visitors to vote for their favorite mascot for a potential professional team.
Collections Corner of Curiosities:
Have you ever wondered what is not on display in a museum? This exhibit of curiosities will show visitors newly accepted items which are now part of the City of Raleigh Historic Resources and Museums Program Collection, many of which have never been on display before. Learn how the donation process works and how we take care of our City's material culture.
History
Opened in 1865, the Briggs hardware store thrived and soon outgrew its original building. Completed in 1874, a new building was erected on the same site and was heralded as “the tallest building in east Carolina and Raleigh’s first skyscraper.” In 1994, after 120 years downtown, the hardware business was relocated. Three years later, the
A.J. Fletcher Foundation
and
Preservation North Carolina
teamed together to acquire and rehabilitate the structure. The City of Raleigh Museum occupies the first and lower levels of the building.
Read more about the history of the Briggs Building
Artifacts
The City of Raleigh Museum cares for approximately 10,000 artifacts from throughout Raleigh’s history.
Explore the collection online
Education Programs and Field Trips
We strive to make history come alive! Our goal is to provide a variety of hands-on programs that will engage students and get them excited about their local history. Our programs use local historic sites, artifacts, and photographs. Many of our programs correspond to exhibits currently on display at the museum. Some programs will have recommended grade levels, and some can be adapted to multiple grade levels. These programs can be a fun and unique way to meet NC Standard Course of Study goals in social studies, English, African-American studies, and art.
If you are interested in registering your class for a program, please visit the
City of Raleigh Museum Educational Field Trips
page.
Classroom Resources
Sites With Sammy:
A Virtual Field Trip Through Raleigh's History
View Briggs Building Activities
The Briggs Building: Raleigh's First Skyscraper
This video explores the history of the Briggs Building in downtown Raleigh and the impact of people in the local community.
Rentals
Located in the 1874 historic Briggs Building, the City of Raleigh Museum showcases the building’s beautiful storefront as well as its original hardwood floors, pressed-tin ceiling, and other unique architectural details. The museum’s lobby and main galleries as well as its lower-level classroom are available to rent for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, office parties, semi-formals, reunions, workshops, and other events.
Learn more about City of Raleigh Museum Rentals
Rent the City of Raleigh Museum for your next milestone celebration, meeting, or networking event.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering at the City of Raleigh Museum, please contact Abby Kellerman at
abigail.kellerman@raleighnc.gov
or view the volunteer information for the Historic Resources and Museum Program.
Volunteer Opportunities
Events support:
Help the museum put on events for the community. From educational booths during festivals to music programs and more!
Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum Membership
As a member, you will help revitalize and preserve North Carolina’s history. You will also enjoy cross program perks at the City of Raleigh Museum, the Raleigh Trolley, Mordecai Historic Park, and Borden, Tucker, and Pope House Museums.
To become a member, please
visit the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum website
.
There are many perks:
Free admission to
select
site and museum events
Free admission for
select
tours
Free admission to
select
lectures
Free admission to Mordecai Historic Park
Free admission to City of Raleigh Museum
10 percent gift shop discount at Mordecai and City Museum
10 percent discount on all site rentals
The Raleigh Register Program Newsletter
Programs and Events
Apr
26
Yoga in the Galleries
1 p.m. • Sunday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-04-26 13:00:00
2026-04-26 14:00:00
Yoga in the Galleries
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
1
First Friday Craft Night
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-01 18:00:00
2026-05-01 21:00:00
First Friday Craft Night
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
8
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-08 18:00:00
2026-05-08 20:00:00
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
Don't miss an unforgettable evening with the authors of Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History, Ian F.G. Dunn and Mary Ruffin Hanbury!
This book is a comprehensive look at the city’s cultural and architectural past and a plea to protect and preserve the landmarks that make our cities unique, connecting us to our shared history. Grab your copy, get it personally signed, and walk away with an exclusive, limited edition bookmark absolutely free.
Details
Location: City of Raleigh MuseumAges: AllCost: Free
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
9
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
6:30 p.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-09 18:30:00
2026-05-09 20:30:00
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
23
Plant Swap
11 a.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-23 11:00:00
2026-05-23 13:00:00
Plant Swap
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
May
30
Annual International Children's Day
10 a.m. • Saturday
City of Raleigh Museum
Add to Calendar
2026-05-30 10:00:00
2026-05-30 15:30:00
Annual International Children's Day
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
City of Raleigh
919-996-2220
America/New_York
public
Hours
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Friday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday:
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday:
1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Historic Resources and Museum Program
Education Program Offerings
Education Program Request Form
Museum Rental Information Packet
Share
Apr
26
Yoga in the Galleries
1 p.m. • Sunday
City of Raleigh Museum
May
1
First Friday Craft Night
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
May
8
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History Book Launch
6 p.m. • Friday
City of Raleigh Museum
First Friday Craft Night
Apr 17, 2026
Plant Swap
Apr 17, 2026
REFUGE Film Screening and Panel
Apr 14, 2026
Scroll to top