In North Carolina, we love our tasty, regional, home-grown barbecue. From the earliest history of cooking meats over flames and coals to modern methods, North Carolina has a proud barbecue tradition, featured at family and community gatherings across the state.  Whether at a backyard grill, a community event, or a traditional wood fire pit at a local restaurant, delicious barbecue can be found in every North Carolina county and in every corner of our history.

The Story of BBQ in North Carolina explores the emergence of hog cultivation and food made from them as a centerpiece of many gatherings. The exhibit also fuels the East vs West debate about sauces and condiments, even as it seeks to explain that the eastern vinegar base and the western tomato ketchup enhanced versions really aren’t that different. 

Visitors will leave wanting more! Be sure to have a list of local BBQ joints on hand!

Accompanying educational materials include STEM-based activities, a "Healthy Helpings" board game and a play kitchen for the youngest visitors to explore healthy eating options.  

Size: 7 to 11 free-standing banners with additional educational interactives (see below)

Duration of Exhibit: 8-12 weeks

Theme: Everyone in North Carolina has an opinion on BBQ

NOTE: this is an indoor exhibit only

This traveling exhibit was created with financial support from the N.C. Pork Council.