In these last few weeks of Winter, it’s hard not to think about the warmer fun times in Summer and Fall. For many in rural areas across the country, that means the state fair! The North Carolina State Fair was founded in 1853 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. 

Today, you can find a digitized collection of items from the North Carolina State Fair as a part of the robust online archives from North Carolina Digital Collections . Included within the State Fair Ephemera collection are programs, photographs, premium lists and more dating back to the fair’s history. Previously known as the Blue Ribbon Memories Project, this digital archive is now maintained by the State Library of North Carolina. 

Some fun finds include photos from President Truman’s 1948 visit: 

And even a State Fair medal believed to have been awarded in 1853: 

*All photos courtesy of the State Fair Ephemera Collection at North Carolina Digital Collections.