Historic preservation preserves and fosters the use and reuse of historic buildings which add significantly to a community's distinctiveness, personality, and diversity. Historic preservation encourages pride and reinvestment in older existing neighborhoods, thus stabilizing and enhancing values.
In 1997 The Rocky Mount City Council appointed nine members to serve on a newly-created Rocky Mount Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the second floor conference room at City Hall. The public is invited to attend these meetings. This nine member Commission is extremely proud of the accomplishments which have been achieved in just the past several years through preservation efforts in our community.
On November 12, 1999 Edgemont along with Villa Place and Falls Road Historic Districts were formally listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Rocky Mount has a total of six historic districts listed on the National Register. They are the Central City, (Downtown) Historic District; Villa Place, (Machaven) Historic District; Edgemont, (Tarboro/Sycamore) Historic District; Falls Road Historic District, Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District, and West Haven Historical District.
The Rocky Mount City Council approved designation of the Rocky Mount Mills Village as a Local Historic District in May, 2000, Rocky Mount's first! Local designation is an honor, meaning the community believes the architecture, history, and character of the area are worthy of recognition and protection. Local historic districts are generally created to protect entire areas or groups of historic structures. Most often, the reason for creating a local district is to prevent unregulated and insensitive change. Since 2000, the Rocky Mount City Council has approved local designation for the Edgemont Historic District, Rocky Mount Central City Historic District, and Villa Place Historic Districts.
Property owners within a locally designated district are required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (C.O.A.) from the HPC before making significant exterior changes or additions to a property, before beginning new construction, and before demolishing or relocating a building or structure. The Commission's review of proposed changes ensures that work on a property in a local district is appropriate to the special character of the district.
The Rocky Mount HPC Design Guidelines are very "user friendly" and also can be used to plan a project. The Planning and Development Department will provide professional staff support to assist property owners. The Commission maintains a library of preservation resource materials in the Planning and Development Department. Free advice in solving problems such as persistently peeling paint.
The historical heritage of our City is one of the most valued and important assets. Thank you very much for your interest in Rocky Mount's historic resources.