WHEREAS, North Carolina museums enhance the quality of life for all residents and attract more than 10 million visitors annually, significantly contributing to the economies of our cities, counties, and state; and
WHEREAS, over 500 museums, zoos, aquariums, galleries, science centers, and local and regional historic sites across our state offer high quality cultural experiences in all 100 North Carolina counties; and
WHEREAS, museums not only act as an integral window into our past, preserving and protecting important works of art, historic artifacts, and other significant objects, but also as a hopeful vision of our future through conservation breeding, habitat preservation, field conservation, and supportive research done to ensure the survival for many of our planet’s threatened and endangered species; and
WHEREAS, museums offer a wide variety of educational opportunities, exposing children to outstanding historical, natural, and artistic experiences not often available in a typical classroom setting, and providing lifelong learning opportunities to North Carolinians of every age; and
WHEREAS, in addition to an awareness, museums provide a deeper understanding of our past and future, offering visitors of all backgrounds the chance to access and embrace the diverse cultural life celebrated by our museums; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina urges people across our state to take advantage of the outstanding resources offered by our museums, zoos, aquariums, galleries, science centers, and historic sites, and to reflect on the importance of access to this information for all;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 6 – 12, 2022, as “MUSEUM WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.