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The Umstead Coalition 
Celebrating Umstead State Park since 1934!

EVENT CALENDAR

Upcoming events

    • 07/30/2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 1711 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh, 27609
    Register

    The NC Rules Review Commission will be evaluating the proposed Mining Rules sent over from the NC Mining Commission.

    Attend to show your support to stop stripping the few protections that remain in the Mining Act and to support public comments on mining applications and stream/property buffer protections.

    You can attend the meeting  in person at:

    Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) 

    1711 New Hope Church Road

    Raleigh, NC 27609 


    There is plenty of surface parking.  Overflow parking in a nearby shopping center.


    The NC Rules Review Commission will be evaluating the proposed Mining Rules sent over from the NC Mining Commission. The agenda (and a link to the proposed Rules) is here==>

    If you want to give comments at the meeting, request by email before 5pm, July 28 to christopher.miller@oah.nc.gov

    • 08/08/2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • William B. Umstead State Park
    Register

    Congratulations to the winners of the Umstead State Park Photo/Illustration Contests. The Exhibit Opening and award Reception is Saturday, August 8, 2 to 4pm. Refreshments served. 2027 Calendar reveal!

    The “Capture the Spirit in William B. Umstead State Park” Exhibit features the winning photos from our annual photo and Illustration contests.

    All winning entries, including Honorable Mentions, will be exhibited at the William B. Umstead Visitor Center.  All the winning photos and illustrations are featured in our annual Park calendar.  The Exhibit will remain available in the Visitor Center auditorium through next summer.

    We'd like to thank JW Image Labs for printing the winning photos.   

    The Exhibit Opening Reception is open to the public. The reception will take place on Saturday,  August 8  from 2-4 p.m. in the William B. Umstead State Park Visitor’s Center, 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617.

    Our new 16-month photo calendar featuring the winning photos and illustrations will be unveiled and available for sale at this event (complementary to the  winners)!

    This event is free and open to the public. Folks do not have to register to attend, but it does help us with event planning.

    Awards Recognition Program will be from 2:30-3pm.

    • 08/14/2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Sycamore Mess Hall, William B. Umstead State Park-US70/Glenwood Ave entrance
    • 99
    Register


    FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 6pm  (doors open 5pm)

    SYCAMORE MESS HALL, enter park from US70/Glenwood Ave entrance

    Clyde and Catherine Edgerton will delight us with a concert of old traditional tunes and stories. Hear songs from their new album here==>

    Clyde Edgerton family grew up on what is now William B. Umstead State Park. Clyde is well know as a North Carolina author and professor; Catherine a singer, guitarist, and artist.  

    Light refreshments will be served.  Come see the status of our restoration of the 1937 Sycamore Mess Hall.   Tickets are FREE, donations to help William B. Umstead State Park are always appreciated. 

    CD's by the musicians will be available for purchase.

    Tickets: Required for planning and seating limits

    Parking: The event will take place at the Sycamore Mess Hall, off the US70/Glenwood Ave Park entrance. Follow signs to the "Multi-use Trailhead" (and temporary signs to the "Sycamore Mess Hall" and then special signs to walk to the Sycamore Mess Hall.

    • 08/15/2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • Camp Lapihio, Warren-Haley Graveyard
    Register

    Join us for a very special treat of a hike with stories and history by Clyde Edgerton.

    The hike will be a leciourly-paced 4-miles from Lapihio Group Camp to the Warren- Haley graveyard. The graveyard is near the Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail in the middle of today's Park.

    Come hear the fascinating family stories of Clyde Edgerton's parents, grand parents and great grand parents and relatives who lived in what is now William B. Umstead State Park.  His grandparents and great grand parents are buried in the preserved graveyard. 

    Clyde's mother, Truma was  (born 1904) and his aunt, Oma (born 1899) grew up in the farming community. 

    Clyde Edgerton is a well-know North Carolina author. Clyde's family heritage and the Park's history inspired his novel "The Floatplane Notebooks." 

     Clyde is a story-teller and he will share history with a few "stories" mixed in.   

    Parking:   Lapihio Group Camp.  Enter William B. Umstead State Park off the US70/Glenwood Park entrance and follow signs to Lapihio Group Camp  (allow 20 minutes for driving and parking within the Park).

    Registration is requested to plan for parking

    • 10/17/2026
    • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513)
    Register

    Save the date for our popular fall native plant sale! We'll share more details closer to the event. 100% of proceeds support William B. Umstead State Park.

    Early Entry for Members & Donors

    11am–noon

    Umstead Coalition members and anyone who has donated $15 or more on or after October 1, 2025 receive early entry and first pick of the plants. Not yet a member? Joining is one of the most direct ways to support the Park. Become a member or donate before the sale to ensure you get in first!

    What to Expect

    • We accept cash, card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo
    • Bring reusable bags or boxes for transporting your plants
    • A wagon or cart is helpful if you plan to buy several plants
    • Parking is at the Harrison Ave. entrance — arrive early as the lot fills up quickly
    • Registration is not required but helps us plan

    Volunteer

    Our plant sales draw hundreds of people and we need lots of help to make them a success. If you'd like to volunteer for Friday setup or Saturday's sale, we'd love to have you. 

    Pricing & plant list

    We'll provide pricing and the plant list closer to the event.

The Umstead Coalition

We are a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park and the surrounding open space.

WHO WE ARE

The Umstead Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.