Smithsonian Exhibit “Spark! Places of Innovation” Coming to Person County in January 2026

Person County is gearing up for an exciting start to 2026 - and we’re officially the final North Carolina stop for a traveling Smithsonian exhibition that shines a spotlight on creativity, progress, and the power of small-town ideas.

The Person County Museum of History (PCMH) has been selected as one of only six North Carolina communities to host Spark! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit presented in partnership with North Carolina Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) Museum on Main Street Initiative. After touring the state since May 2025, the exhibit will make its last stop right here in Roxboro!

Igniting the Spark: Innovation and Invention in Person County

This curated experience will highlight the many ways innovation has shaped our community for more than two centuries. From inventors and makers to artists and problem-solvers, Person County has long embraced the mindset: “See a problem, fix a problem.”

Whether it was the early push to bring the railroad to Roxboro or generations of creative thinkers who built solutions with their own hands, innovation here has always been rooted in necessity, resourcefulness, and community spirit.

Exhibit Dates & Visitor Information

Spark! Places of Innovation
📍 Curtis Long House, Person County Museum of History
📅 January 21, 2026 – February 21, 2026
🕒 Open Wednesday–Friday • 10 AM – 4 PM

🕒 Open Saturday, January 24, February 7, & February 21 • 10 AM – 2 PM

Field trips and group tours are also available. To schedule, contact the museum directly.

Important Acknowledgment

Spark! Places of Innovation has been made possible in Roxboro, North Carolina by North Carolina Humanities. Spark! is a Museum on Main Street exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution and inspired by Places of Invention, an exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of North Carolina Humanities, the Smithsonian Institution, or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Person County Museum of History

You don’t need to be a history buff—or even a local—to enjoy a visit to the Person County Museum of History. Every visitor will find something that sparks a memory or tells a story that feels familiar.

Take a tour of the historical buildings throughout the campus. They transport visitors back in time, featuring a mid-1800s doctor’s office, an extensive display of tobacco history and memorabilia, and a general store complete with a remarkable doll collection. Outside, take a peaceful moment in the Veterans’ Plaza and Courtyard, where a charming gazebo invites reflection and remembrance.

The Enos Slaughter Exhibit

A highlight for sports fans, the Enos Slaughter Exhibit honors the legendary Major League Baseball player who called Person County home. Slaughter’s career spanned the 1930s through the 1950s, playing for teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Braves.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 and is best remembered for his daring run from first base to home in the 1946 World Series—a moment immortalized by a statue outside Busch Stadium. A replica of that statue, along with historic photographs and memorabilia, can be found right here at the museum.

Experience the Escape Room

The museum is also home to Person County’s first Escape Room—a thrilling, team-building adventure where you have 60 minutes to solve clues and make your escape. It’s an exciting mix of laughter, strategy, and collaboration that’s perfect for families, friends, or coworkers.

To schedule your Escape Room experience, call (336) 597-2884 or email personcountymuseumofhistory@gmail.com