Honoring the Past, Building a Future
Rocky Mount NC: Preservation of Historic Commercial and Residential Architecture
I read mysteries, and two of my favorite characters are Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Donna Leon's Commissariat Guido Brunetti. Both men solve mysteries by paying attention to what others overlook, listening carefully, asking questions, and patiently following every clue. I consider both men close literary friends. Over the years, I have become … Continue reading The Case of the Missing Doors
I'm remembering the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life. Little Zuzu Bailey tells her father, George, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." I've decided the genealogy world has its own version of bell ringing. When we begin searching for someone from the past, a little bell rings somewhere. This week I started … Continue reading Every Time a Bell Rings…
Read the new blog on Tuesday.
I went in the door of the old Belk building the other morning and met three workman continuing to clear out the cavernous space. It is in need of a buyer. I somehow refrained from hugging the guys after they took time to chat and confirmed some research I have been doing on the block. … Continue reading What Do Developers See The First Time They Encounter Downtown Rocky Mount?
We all know that things in Rocky Mount are precarious. We know because past negligence has finally caught up with us and pinned its “tail on the donkey,” which now is affecting both our reputation and our future. We see it in the empty buildings downtown, the projects that fail to move forward, and the … Continue reading Sorting Out Rocky Mount’s Priorities: Main Street and Beyond
“Cities are remembered not only for what they build new, but for what they choose to keep.” SFH These buildings matter. They are a presence in the story of Rocky Mount; not burdens but possibilities. They still possess beauty, dignity, and purpose. These photographs show us that restoration does not begin with money or construction. … Continue reading Three Downtown Buildings: Restored to Their Original Beauty
Main Street Rocky Mount 