SPENCER, N.C. — In conjunction with the nationwide America 250 semiquincentennial commemoration taking place throughout 2026, the North Carolina Transportation Museum will host a three-part evening presentation series exploring the state’s early transportation history and its impact on America’s development. The N.C. Transportation Museum is part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. DNCR’s America 250 NC initiative is leading North Carolina’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Scheduled for March, April, and May, the series will examine railroad development and construction prior to 1860, the vital but often overlooked logistics that sustained the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and the origins and impact of the Nissen Wagon Works of Winston-Salem.
Each presentation begins at 7 p.m. and lasts approximately one hour. The events are free and do not require museum admission; however, all attendees must pre-register.
“Wheel Ruts to Iron Rails” is the first in the series, scheduled for March 26. This program traces the evolution of early horse-drawn carriages running on metal straps to the rise of steam-powered locomotives and iron rails in the late 1820s in England and America. Participants will explore rapid advancements in locomotive design from the 1830s through the 1850s, as expanding rail lines connected North and South and opened pathways into western territories. Hosted by Larry Neal, a railroad researcher and historian on the staff of the N.C. Transportation Museum, this presentation begins in the museum’s Roundhouse Orientation Room and includes a brief walk through the building.
“Logistics of Liberty,” hosted on April 16, details the supplying of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Moving provisions across rough roads, along winding rivers, with the help of thousands of draft animals, required coordination and determination. This presentation highlights how hundreds of North Carolinians were called into service to transport essential goods across the state and beyond. Join Nathan Schultz for an engaging exploration of this lesser-known aspect of Revolutionary history, including his own experiences portraying an ox driver along a portion of Henry Knox’s historic route through hands-on interpretation of teamster work. The presentation will be held in the museum’s Roundhouse Orientation Room.
“History of the Nissen Wagon Works in N.C.” offered on May 14, delves into North Carolina’s own Nissen Wagon Works. Founded in 1834 by John Philip Nissen, the Nissen Wagon Works became one of the South’s largest wagon manufacturers at the height of its production. The company produced wagons for agricultural and general transportation use into the 1940’s, manufacturing as many as 50 wagons per day at its peak. Originally located near Waughton, now part of Winston-Salem, Nissen Wagon Works played a significant role in North Carolina’s transportation and industrial history. The presentation will be hosted by historian Larry Neal in the museum’s Back Shop building near the wagon exhibit.
All of these events can be found on the NCST calendar at this link.To register and learn more about these educational opportunities, visit the museum’s America 250 webpage at https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-nc/.