From Neglect to Action: Preserving Rocky Mount’s Architectural Heritage – #2

The 1976 movie Network gave us an unforgettable speech by Howard Beale, played by Peter Finch, who defied the teleprompter on live TV to deliver this rallying cry: I’m damn mad….He goes on to say,”I want you to get MAD! I don’t want you to protest. I don’t want you to riot – I don’t want you to write to your congressman, because I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write. I don’t know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you’ve got to get mad” …..about the condition of the historical commercial buildings on Main Street that are crumbling.

Howard Beale’s words feel eerily relevant to my own frustrations—not about inflation or politics,(well, that too, but about the condition of the historical commercial buildings on Main Street. Neglected, unappreciated, forgotten—these architectural gems are giving up hope. On gloomy days downtown I hear their silence and feel their sorrow.

We’ve seen what’s possible, and now it’s time for more. In 2025, let’s double down on prioritizing the preservation of Main Street’s endangered treasures. Let’s create a must-save list of properties, concentrate our marketing efforts, and actively court buyers who will restore and repurpose these buildings.

As I walk past the architectural treasures still crumbling, I feel the weight of missed opportunities. The peeling paint, sagging frames, and empty windows remind me of the irreplaceable history slipping through our fingers. It grieves me deeply.

Progress has been made in preservation, restoration, and repurposing—we must celebrate that. Success stories like Larema Coffee House or the Booker T. Theater stand as proof of what’s possible when vision and effort align. They inspire hope and show us how these pearls of great price can shine again.

I try to stay reasoned. I try not to rant. But some days, my resolve gives out, and I get damn mad. I want to urge you to stand in front of one of the failing buildings. Admire its craftsmanship. Imagine its potential. Tell them they matter to the future of Rocky Mount.

No one is happier than I am about the Downtown Development office’s presence on Main Street. I spent some time with this capable staff at the last Main Street Conference in Goldsboro and seen their dedication firsthand. But I have to ask—how do we measure their impact? Are we tracking successes or stagnation? A clear assessment of outcomes is crucial to shaping effective policies and plans.

Let’s commit to action. The progress we’ve made should be a springboard, not a finish line. With thoughtful effort and collaboration, the legacy we’ve inherited is the foundation of a thriving future for Rocky Mount.

I’ve included a few photographs of successful preservation, restoration, and repurposing efforts on Main Street—proof that when we invest in our history, the results are nothing short of extraordinary.

Dilapidated

A historical building that is falling apart is often referred to as dilapidated. These buildings may be abandoned and decay quickly due to leaks, damage, lack of maintenance, and external factors. Does that sound about right to you when you look at these wonderful historic commercial buildings downtown?

“There may have been a time when preservation was about saving an old building here and there, but those days are gone. Preservation is in the business of saving communities and the values they embody.” -Richard Moe