 Residents of Roanoke Rapids,
Weldon and surrounding
areas have highlighted a major part of their history
and the history of the entire region with an exciting project. It
includes a transportation museum
focusing on the Roanoke Canal and the Roanoke Valley's rail
history as well as a master plan for the
entire canal trail. (Click front
and back to
download both sides of the project brochure in pdf format.)
The museum tells the fascinating
story of transportation and navigation on the Roanoke River and the
history of the Roanoke Canal. The storyline weaves together the
navigational history of the Roanoke River, the beginning of the
railroad, transportation during the Civil War, and the coming of
hydro-electric power with the river and the canal as common
threads.
Frank Harmon Architects
designed the project. Harmon included community members in the design
process, including determination of the museum contents. Preliminary exhibit themes
include Roanoke River &
Canals, Canals in History, Anatomy of a Canal, Construction of the
Canal, Life along the Canal/Historic Usage, Current Usage, Preservation
of the Canal and the Structure.
The museum is located in the brick
building constructed as the generator house and offices for the Roanoke
Navigation and Power Company. This building is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Photo courtesy DCF Engineering, Inc.,
Cary, N.C.
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