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06/17/2025 5:54 pm
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Lobby Gallery and A.J. Fletcher Foundation Gallery, which may be rented separately or together, make an ideal backdrop to celebrate important milestones. The Lobby Gallery can accommodate standing receptions for up to 60 guests (50 seated). The A.J. Fletcher Foundation Gallery can accommodate standing receptions for up to 150 guests (120 seated).
The Woman’s Club of Raleigh Classroom provides an intimate setting for business meetings, seminars, and workshops. The classroom can accommodate up to 50 guests.
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.
Events support: Help the museum put on events for the community. From educational booths during festivals to music programs and more!
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:
