Honoring the Past, Building a Future
You would have loved being with me the other day for a special brunch with the new innkeepers of Bellemonte House. It was a behind the scenes view of a major production just before the curtain rises. There were skilled workmen scurrying around taking care of last-minute details, an electrician with a few more chandeliers to hang. I … Continue reading A Preservation Success – Bellemonte House – Restoration Sublime
"In my opinion, cities have got to be committed to downtown if they are going to save it. If they aren't committed, they can't expect other people to be." -Lynell Bynum … Continue reading Station Square – Lynell Bynum: Are You Committed to Downtown? – Part 2
Why would Mr. Lynell Bynum, (1924-2002) decide in the early 1970’s to buy up an entire block of buildings in downtown Rocky Mount NC? How is this connected to real estate investor and general contractor, Ben Braddock, and his business partner, who have purchased from Chambliss and Rabil Commercial Reality, Station Square, a 65,000 square … Continue reading Telling The Station Square Story – Mr. Lynell Bynum -Part 1
The Bellemonte House, constructed between 1817 and 1825, may not be on your radar screen, but it soon will be. It was moved last year to a beautiful wooded lot on Bishop Road on the back side of Wesleyan College. I became aware of the house recently on a tour of Rocky Mount that … Continue reading Historic Bellemonte House on Wesleyan College Campus – Soon to be a B & B – Hopefully Serving Tea
This is how it is being done, folks. Close your eyes, think of downtown Rocky Mount and one of our many historic architectural buildings. When you open your eyes, read this announcement from the East Durham Pie Company Signing a lease is a big commitment, as this will be our new home for years … Continue reading So What About the East Durham Pie Company?
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau I wish I'd written the following description of the post office, but like Harry Potter, I withdrew the information (memory) from a pensive. The early 20th century, Neoclassical, Rocky Mount Post Office enjoys a prime location in revitalizing downtown … Continue reading Preservation – Rocky Mount’s Historic Downtown Area Part 3-The Post Office
