Stepheny’s View: Before and After—Inspiration for Rocky Mount, NC, and Our Lives

There’s something deeply moving about a “before and after” photograph. A small, forgotten house, weathered by time, standing in quiet dignity, waiting for hands to restore it. And then—the after—windows gleaming, a fresh coat of paint, a porch made welcoming again. These transformations inspire because they remind us of what is possible, not just in … Continue reading Stepheny’s View: Before and After—Inspiration for Rocky Mount, NC, and Our Lives →

Rocky Mount, NC: Celebrating The End Of The Year On Main Street

WRAL VIDEO CLIP ---SAVING THE EPSTEIN BUILDING IN ROCKY MOUNT,NC https://www.wral.com/news/local/rocky-mount-approves-downtown-development-dec-2024/ Bill West's recent article in The Telegram also reported this news. The Downtown Major Incentive Grant Program awards up to $500,000 for large-scale renovations of buildings in the central part of the city. They have awarded 250K for the Epstein building. The purpose of … Continue reading Rocky Mount, NC: Celebrating The End Of The Year On Main Street →

Rocky Mount, NC: The Christmas Season on Main Street

One of Main Street Rocky Mount's great commercial buildings is Davis Furniture, a preservation show-off. Here it is with new wreaths bringing good cheer to Main Street. On Wednesday, in the rain and wind, I blew in the door to Christmas shop. I knew what I wanted and knew Davis Furniture has a nice selection … Continue reading Rocky Mount, NC: The Christmas Season on Main Street →

Rocky Mount, NC: Early Christmas Spirit – A Nostalgic Journey

I knew I should not have put my Christmas decorations away last year. I said at the time, "I'll turn around twice and it will be Christmas again." Sure enough, it is the 3rd of December 2024! The town of Nashville now has snow flakes on light posts that magically light up in the dark. … Continue reading Rocky Mount, NC: Early Christmas Spirit – A Nostalgic Journey →

The Role of Main Street Facades in Rocky Mount’s Future

If you are a garden writer the challenge becomes, how many ways can you describe the color green? If you are writing the blog, Mainstreetrockymount.com, how many ways can I feature Rocky Mount’s Main Street commercial historic facades that will make the reader focus on the powerful connection between the preservation of these buildings and … Continue reading The Role of Main Street Facades in Rocky Mount’s Future →

Connecting with a Forgotten Past: The Power of Photography and Architecture

Rocky Mount has long appreciated the work of local photographer Charles Killebrew, who operated a studio on Howard Street and worked for many years with the Rocky Mount Telegram. His extensive collection of photographs, spanning from the 1940s to the 1990s, is now preserved at the Braswell Library. Today, we are fortunate to have Gary … Continue reading Connecting with a Forgotten Past: The Power of Photography and Architecture →