They Call Me Machaven – Speaking Out About Old Age and Remaining Useful

People call me Machaven, but I think of myself as a Hines. It seems like yesterday (1907-1908) that I was built for James Hines, a leading businessman, civic leader, and his wife. Of course, I credit the architect, H.P.S. Keller, for the handsome fellow that I am....a 2 1/2-story, Classical Revival style brick dwelling with a slate-covered … Continue reading They Call Me Machaven – Speaking Out About Old Age and Remaining Useful →

Romancing the Brick – Osman Bennett Barnes – Part 3

I admit that the 1984 action-adventure, romantic-comedy entitled, Romancing the Stone, sounds better than the title for this post, Romancing the Brick, but I couldn't help myself. I have had a long-standing romance with architecture that includes lots and lots of brick. I grew up in the beautiful Colonial Revival style brick home pictured here. It sits … Continue reading Romancing the Brick – Osman Bennett Barnes – Part 3 →

Who Was Osmon Bennett Barnes? – Part 2

“History is the essence of innumerable biographies.” Thomas Carlyle Osman Barnes's granddaughter, Melissa Barker, took me to Pineview Cemetery to spend time with members of her family that are buried there. It is a deeply moving experience, where generations of families are gathered across time, yet able to tell a story of Rocky Mount and … Continue reading Who Was Osmon Bennett Barnes? – Part 2 →

Who Built The Wall at Wesleyan College and so much more? – Osmon ‘Os’ Bennett Barnes

"Every man is called to give love to the work of his hands. Every man is called to be an artist." Wendell Berry I grew up without a grandfather. My maternal grandfather died when my mother was a young child and my paternal grandfather lived somewhere on the edges of my life hiding … Continue reading Who Built The Wall at Wesleyan College and so much more? – Osmon ‘Os’ Bennett Barnes →

Merry Christmas from Main Street Rocky Mount

Christmas at Stonewall Manor - Natural Plant Material Making the Season Bright Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Main Street Thank you for keeping me company on Main Street this past year. I'm grateful to all the people who have taken me in when I knock on a … Continue reading Merry Christmas from Main Street Rocky Mount →

Available at Preservation Rocky Mount Architectural Salvage Store – IDEAS: recycle old salvage windows and doors

INSPIRATION Standing in the PRM Architectural Salvage Store you ask yourself, "What can be done with all these great windows?" "Look at these wonderful old doors." I will let these images, found on Pinterest, speak for themselves and serve as your inspiration. Which of these projects is your favorite? Leave a comment below. You can … Continue reading Available at Preservation Rocky Mount Architectural Salvage Store – IDEAS: recycle old salvage windows and doors →