News

N.C. history books now more widely available

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 8, 2016

A collection of more than 150 books about North Carolina’s history, people and culture will be easier to find and purchase through a new partnership between the North Carolina Office of Archives and History and the University of North Carolina Press.

The Office of Archives and History, through its Historical Publications Section, has been publishing the books for more than a century. The new partnership gives UNC Press exclusive rights to distribute the titles from the office’s collection. In addition to selling Historical Publications titles that are currently in print, UNC Press and the Office of Archives and History will work together to reissue out-of-print titles and will make many of the books available in digital format through a wide array of eBook vendors.

Part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Office of Archives and History has earned a reputation for offering well-researched and affordably-priced works of nonfiction for general readers, scholars, and students. The office was first established as the North Carolina Historical Commission in 1903 with the mission of collecting, editing, and publishing the state’s historical documents. Its first book, “Literary and Historical Activities in North Carolina, 1900-1905,” was published in 1907.

Some of the office’s most popular titles include “From Ulster to Carolina: The Migration of the Scotch-Irish to Southwestern North Carolina,” “A History of African Americans in North Carolina,” and “Native Carolinians: The Indians of North Carolina.” Additional publications include reference works that are a valuable resource for scholars, including the series, “North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster” and the recently published “The Old North State at War: A North Carolina Civil War Atlas.”

“UNC Press has long been a valued partner of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources,” said Dr. Kevin Cherry, deputy director of the department. “We look forward to a more formal and expanded partnership as we continue to document the history of the state and its people.”

“UNC Press is uniquely positioned to partner with the Office of Archives and History as we both have long traditions of publishing for audiences interested in the history of North Carolina and the South. By taking advantage of our infrastructure—state-of-the-art warehouse, on-demand printing, digital publishing platforms, and strong regional sales channels—the office can focus on acquiring and editing new books while the press helps them reach the broadest possible audiences,” said John Sherer, Spangler Family Director of the University of North Carolina Press.

Historical Publications titles will continue to be sold through bookstores, museum stores, and gift shops at parks and historic sites around the state. For more information, visit the UNC Press website.