North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on a $180 million renovation and expansion of the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh. The project will add 40,000 square feet to the facility, increasing gallery space by 25% to accommodate more artifacts, stories, and perspectives from across the state.
The renovation is being managed by a joint venture of Barnhill Construction, Balfour Beatty, and Holt Brothers, which was awarded the General Management Package #2 (GMP #2). This package encompasses multiple construction elements including site demolition, structural steel, curtainwall installation, and mechanical systems.
The museum, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, will also receive upgrades including a relocated northside entrance on Bicentennial Plaza for improved accessibility, new climate control systems to protect its collection of more than 150,000 artifacts, and critical infrastructure improvements such as leak repairs and a new freight elevator. Additional features include classrooms, community spaces, offices, and a new on-site restaurant.
“This project is about honoring the trust North Carolinians place in us to care for their history,” said C.J. Roberts, director of the Division of State History Museums. “We’re building a space worthy of the stories, artifacts, and traditions that define our state—so they can be preserved and shared for generations to come.”
The project, funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, is scheduled for completion in 2028. When finished, it will provide a modern, safe, and accessible facility capable of showcasing more of the state’s history and serving communities statewide.
The museum building closed in October 2024 and the renovation is expected to upgrade the facility into a modern, safe, and accessible facility for visitors. The project is on track for completion and reopening to the public in 2028.