Groundbreaking For New Environmental Education and Visitor Center May 25

For immediate release ‐ May 19, 2023

Contact: Kerry Irish, 252.269.4169 and Michele Walker, 919.814.6660. Images available upon request

Child outside in fall at Contentnea Creek.

GRIFTON, N.C. — Join us for the groundbreaking of the Nancy and John Bray Environmental Education and Visitor Center on Thursday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m., at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek, 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton, N.C.

This is an exciting new phase for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek. The Education and Visitor Center will allow for increased and improved programming, experiences, and opportunities for the people of eastern North Carolina.

Nancy and John Bray have long been champions of STEM outreach opportunities in eastern North Carolina. In 2009, they established the Bray Hollow Foundation and donated the property Contentnea Creek to continue this legacy of support. It is fitting that this new center will honor them and their dedication to these causes.

This project was made possible with the support of the State of North Carolina, Pitt County Government, The Cannon Foundation, and Perkins, West, and Wells Charitable Trust.

Groundbreaking will be at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek, 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton, N.C.


About the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh (11 and 121 W. Jones St.) is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world. Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, noon–5 p.m. General admission is free. For more information, visit www.naturalsciences.org.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.


For more information about our upcoming activities, conservation news and ground-breaking research, follow @NaturalSciences on InstagramTwitter and Facebook. Join the conversation with #visitNCMNS.

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