Honoring the Past, Building a Future
The war was still reverberating in 1946 when the former editor of Fortune magazine, Eric Hodgins, wrote the novel Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. There was a national housing shortage. The American dream of the returning G.I.'s included home ownership. The film correctly read the mood of those who wanted to move on to … Continue reading Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House In Historic West Haven – Part 2
There must be a special place in hell for people who vandalize buildings. In taking photographs of Machaven, I wouldn't dream of a photo that shows the front windows boarded up. Such an embarrassment for a historic place that has been holding court at 300 Grace Street these many years. Like a woman who knows her … Continue reading Villa Place Historic District – ‘The Ice King’ Cometh – Part 2
“Old houses are filled with memories, with the faded echoes of voices. Drops of tears, the ring of laughter, the edge of tempers that over the years have seeped into the walls. These houses carry in their wood and stone, their brick and mortar a kind of ego that is nearly human.” A … Continue reading The Home D.J. Rose Built For His Family – Sunset Ave
“A place without meaning is no place to be.” Wayne Gerald Trotman The Happy Hill Neighborhood has broken ground on a new project, Beal Street Square, a cause for celebration. I want to remind you about the architecture you find in Happy Hill, and throughout the south, so when you see the design for Beal Street … Continue reading Happy Hill – What is A Shotgun House? – Part 2
Pecan Trees Saved at the Neighbors Request “The pale stars were sliding into their places. The whispering of the leaves was almost hushed. All about them it was still and shadowy and sweet. It was that wonderful moment ... a moment when anything can happen, anything be believed in.” ― Olivia Howard Dunbar It was … Continue reading A Rocky Mount Neighborhood – Happy Hill – Part 1
I wonder if you have eyes to see? Let me show you something that lay beneath an overlay of time. In some cases, that time has dimmed the color and vivaciousness of what once was, but don't be put off by that. I want you to look at the historic district of Edgemont, a subdivision … Continue reading Edgemont – A Jewel In Rocky Mount’s Crown – Part 1
Main Street Rocky Mount 