Honoring the Past, Building a Future
I have remembered the Yellow Brick Road song from the Wizard of Oz since I was a child. I used to sing it to my grandchildren when heading out in the car for an adventure. "We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz." I never dreamed I would find it applicable, transpose and … Continue reading Rocky Mount Is Being Lead Down The Yellow Brick Road Over Parking and Low-Income Housing
I discovered the California artist, Kenton Nelson after I began writing Main Street. Though he paints figures and landscape, it is his architecture bathed in light that calls to me. Often when I wander around downtown Rocky Mount, I think of his beautiful work and know he would see what I see. Nelson traces his interest in … Continue reading Rocky Mount Revitalization – Seeing Beyond The Ordinary With Kenton Nelson
“We want cities to understand that historic buildings are a resource.... figure out how to restore and reuse them and keep them in active service for their community.” National Trust president - Stephanie K. Meeks Preservation Rocky Mount Organization Visits the May Gorham Building A new generation is embracing the diversity, … Continue reading Preservation – Rocky Mount’s Historic Downtown Area Part 1 -May and Gorham Building
You might say it is my age, but I have always looked at the world through an emotional blur. I count this as a gift that includes observation, memory, and a propensity for nostalgia. It makes me do things like hastily pull to the curb, a quick glance in the rearview mirror hoping that an … Continue reading Are You Using Your Imagination When It Comes To Rocky Mount?
Vann Joines is our Resident Downtown Prophet; he always explains things in the language of possibilities. Don't be surprised if the revitalization folks in town follow him off the end of a bridge because he has bewitched everyone with his expertise and vision for the future. I am one of his pupils learning the vocabulary … Continue reading Today’s Concept: Walkable Neighborhoods
The Queen Anne Hotel has a steep gabled roof, asymmetrical shape and dormer windows Named for its style of architecture, dating from 1880-1910. IF ONLY....those cities that are trying to revitalize their historic downtown core areas all had a Queen Anne Hotel like the one pictured above. But wait, here in Rocky Mount we have … Continue reading Looking At The Queen Anne Hotel in New Orleans – A Reminder Of Our Own Rocky Mount NC Treasures – Preservation and Perspective
Main Street Rocky Mount 