Every year in May, local preservation groups, state historical societies, businesses, and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month through events that promote historic places and heritage tourism, and that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.

Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states.

As part of the celebration, the Cary Historic Preservation Commission has put together some events for the month, as described in the flyer below! You can also get a PDF of the events here: 2024 Preservation Month Events

Need a History Hunt card??  Download here and submit for a chance to win a prize! 

Preservation Month Events - May 2024

April 27 - May 31

Cary History Hunt - Downtown Cary
May is National Historic Preservation Month and the Historic Preservation Commission is once again hosting a history scavenger hunt. Pick up a history hunt card at any of these events (or download online) and complete it before the end of May for your chance to win a prize!

May 15, 7 p.m.

Oberlin: A Village Rooted in Freedom - The Cary Theater
Enjoy a special FREE screening of a documentary on the history of Oberlin, one of North Carolina's largest freedmen's villages, and Preservation North Carolina's efforts to save two landmark properties. Tickets

May 21, 7 p.m.

Cary's Farm-Life Program - Page-Walker Arts and History Center 
In 1913, Cary High School Principal Marcus Dry, a progressive thinker and educator, established a Farm-Life Program. A demonstration farm with a barn and cottage was built for the program on Walnut Street where it remains today. Join us to learn more about this program and enjoy light refreshments.