Honoring the Past, Building a Future
Rocky Mount NC: Preservation of Historic Commercial and Residential Architecture
The tin roof, rusted and worn, once echoed with the sound of summer rain. Its wooden sides, now faded, held warmth long ago, sheltering a family whose voices filled these rooms. An awning that should come down. The front door, boarded shut, was once flung open to welcome neighbors, laughter, and the everyday rhythm of … Continue reading A House Waiting For Its Future: Rocky Mount, NC
A house, like a life, holds its story in its heart. Some stand weary but strong, their timbers whispering of laughter once shared, storms endured, and years that slipped quietly past. When we see a house on the verge of collapse, we might be tempted to look away—to believe its time has passed. But then … Continue reading Preservation and Possibility: What ‘Before and After’ Homes Teach Us #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 … Continue reading From Neglect to Action: Preserving Rocky Mount’s Architectural Heritage – #2
If only....I could sketch and use watercolors to bring your attention to Main Street Rocky Mount architecture. I am addicted to these little paintings that capture the imagination of possibilities. I have several wonderful books in this vain, favorites in my library. I fancy myself downtown on a little stool sketching the historical commercial architectural … Continue reading Art and Architecture: A Love Letter From Main Street Rocky Mount
This beautiful photograph from Larema Coffee House’s social media has quickly become my new favorite image capturing the art of preservation. Morning light streams softly into this thoughtfully repurposed bank, bringing the past and present into a shared glow. When I visit Larema, I imagine the whispers of the building’s history—customers cashing checks, parents setting … Continue reading Larema Coffee House: A Beacon of Preservation in Downtown Rocky Mount
