These photographs are from my Pinterest Boards that I have collected over time
There’s something about an old doorknob that stops me in my tracks. The weight of it in my hand, the patina of age, the craftsmanship—these small details whisper of lives once lived, of voices, of hands turning the knob at the end of a long day.
Many of these doorknobs now sit on doors where the paint is peeling, the wood is weathered, and time has had its way. They are remnants of homes that once held the sacredness of family—where stories unfolded with every turn of the key.
Rocky Mount is rich with homes that were built to last, their details—like these doorknobs—proof of a time when craftsmanship mattered, when architecture carried a soul. But Rocky Mount has too many homes sitting empty, their potential overlooked. You must look closely to see more than decay; but to see possibility. Every doorknob is an invitation, a chance to turn back toward preservation, restoration, and repurposing.
If you have been reading this blog you know that preservation is not just about saving buildings, it’s about honoring those who came before us while creating homes for those who will come after. With successful revitalization, the population grows and available housing is essenttial.
Restoration is a gift to the future, ensuring that the beauty of our past is not lost but instead woven into what comes next.
I continue to urge you to take a moment to notice, to appreciate the artistry even in a doorknob, the history in a chipped frame, the promise in a home waiting to be loved again. Let’s turn the knob and step forward—building a future that respects and revives the past.
Main Street Rocky Mount 