About the State Archives

The State Archives of North Carolina is part of the Division of Archives and Records of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Some of the primary functions of the division include collecting, preserving, and making available for public use historical and evidential materials relating to North Carolina. Most of the records housed in the Archives are available for use only in the Search Room. Many collections are searchable through the MARS (Manuscript and Archives Records System) catalog, at least to the collection and series level, and a limited amount of indexed material can be searched for mail inquiries.

Researchers interested in North Carolina history are invited to visit the Search Room and to make use of the records in the Archives. These documents are valuable for historical and evidential purposes and usually are the only copies in existence. It is therefore essential that they be used with care. Reference archivists are on duty at all times in the Search Room and are responsible for assisting all researchers.

State and local government officials, as well researchers interested in records management topics, should visit the Government Records Branch web site. The primary mission of the Government Records Branch is to provide and administer records management services to state government agencies, local government agencies, and state-supported institutions of higher education in North Carolina in accordance with General Statutes 121 and 132 and the mandate provided in these laws for the preservation of the historical record of this state.

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Division of Archives and Records Statement of Purpose

It is the responsibility of the Division of Archives and Records to promote and safeguard the documentary heritage of the State of North Carolina, particularly as it pertains to public offices. This is done by managing and collecting the records of state and local governments, and providing technical assistance to all agencies (including public universities) on the management of all their records. The division also collects and maintains private papers which document the history of the state. The agency provides assistance to citizens and governmental bodies in locating documents in the state archives, and it preserves those records of enduring value to the highest archival standards.

Each year these programs serve citizens from across our state and nation including over 16,000 researchers using the records in the Archives Search Room and responding to over 14,000 mail inquiries for information in archival records. The disposition of records from state agencies including the annual transfer of over 18,000 cubic feet of non-current records from state agencies and the authorized destruction of more than 15,000 cubic feet of records in state agencies helps the state avoid over $1,000,000 annually in outlays for equipment alone. The division provides over 80 archival and records management workshops and presentations statewide serving over 2,500 participants as well.

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Biennial Reports of Accessions

• Accessions, July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010 (PDF)

Last Modified: 07/27/2012