As we step into 2025, I’m taking a moment to course correct. I write about preservation as a labor of love. I celebrate the stories etched in old bricks, the craftsmanship of carved cornices, and the beauty of time-weathered facades. And while I’ll never stop romanticizing the past (it’s who I am!), I’ve come to realize that I’ve haven’t written enough about the practical power of preservation.
In this new year, I’m challenging myself to highlight the economic engine that preservation is for Main Street. It’s time to talk more about the jobs created by restoration projects, the tourism dollars spent in revitalized districts, and the ripple effects that extend from a single saved building to an entire community. Romantic? Absolutely. Practical? Indeed!
Preservation isn’t just about holding onto the past; it’s about paving the way for a thriving future. Every dollar spent restoring a historic building is an investment that ripples outward—boosting local contractors, increasing property values, attracting new businesses, and drawing visitors eager to experience the charm and character of a place like Rocky Mount.
Think about it: a single restored storefront can spark a domino effect, turning a forgotten block into a vibrant hub of activity. Coffee shops buzz with conversation, boutiques brim with customers, and galleries showcase the work of local artists. Main Street becomes more than a thoroughfare—it becomes a destination, a community, and, most importantly, an economic driver.
Though I tend to write the blog through the eyes of nostalgia, I do know preservation is a strategy. In the next few weeks I will write more about how preserving Rocky Mount’s architectural heritage builds an economically resilient future. Who knows, maybe this will attract some new readers for the cause.
This isn’t a departure from my love for history and architecture—it’s an expansion of it. Preservation is about more than bricks and beams; it’s about the livelihoods, opportunities, and pride that those bricks and beams create. This January, two posts a week, meet me on my Main Street bench and let’s talk about how preservation pays dividends for Main Street.
So here’s to a new year, new information, and a renewed commitment to honoring the past while building a future. Together, let’s make 2025 the year we prove that preservation isn’t just beautiful—it’s brilliant.
Main Street Rocky Mount 