North Carolina’s story lives in objects made here, used here, treasured here, and sometimes transformed here. They carry the marks of work and worship, progress and protest, music and memory. Some built industries; others built traditions. A few changed the nation. Together, they tell us who we are, who we’ve been, and what we carry forward.
From a Krispy Kreme doughnut box to the barbecue chopping block, these tools of the trade are used to prepare and hold some of North Carolina’s most iconic flavors.
For Our State’s September 2026, we rounded up 50 iconic objects that tell the story of North Carolina. From colorful kites to spinning whirligigs, these show off the state’s playful nature.
From dulcimers to decoys, North Carolinians know that some of the pieces we’re most proud of are crafted by hand.
For the fabrics and clothes that capture North Carolina’s fashion identity best, read on for a selection from Our State’s September 2026 issue.
North Carolina’s objects symbolize the stories, passions, and crafts that have shaped our state.
For decades, one educational endeavor has taught our state’s students that home is worth studying.
Generations of North Carolina students built their way through state history thanks to the vision and determination of one beloved educator.
Across North Carolina and beyond, binders stowed away in attics preserve memories of North Carolina Projects. Assigned by teachers from the mountains to the coast, no two projects turned out alike. But whether the students now live across the country or a few miles from their childhood classrooms, many trace their appreciation for our state back to those formative school lessons.