Nash: Mill History, Museums, and Experiences on the Tar River

The Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District is a remarkably intact mill village in Nash County. It lies in the northwestern part of Rocky Mount, south of the Tar River and on both sides of Falls Road (NC 43/48). Mill history is also reflected at Rocky Mount Mills, a restored 19th-century textile mill campus. Rocky Mount Mills hosts live music, festivals, and special events throughout the year. If you’re traveling for a particular festival, check the dates for your travel period.

Mill History and Culture

The Explore Nash County Visitor Center is housed in a historic two-story yellow house originally built in 1888. It is located in the Rocky Mount Mills District. For directions: The Visitor Center is at Exit 468-B of Hwy 64, a few miles east of the junction of I-95 and Hwy 64.

At the Imperial Centre, art and theater offer different experiences. The Arts Center produces visual and performing arts programs, with an emphasis on arts education for all ages. The Community Theatre presents comedies, dramas, musicals, and children’s theater. The cultural program thus ranges from arts education to a variety of stage productions.

Museums and Attractions at the Imperial Centre

The Imperial Centre’s Children’s Museum & Science Center offers different ways to explore science and discovery. Its features include a live animal gallery, the Cummins Planetarium, traveling exhibits, and interactive permanent exhibits. The mix of changing and permanent exhibits gives visitors a range of themes to explore.

The Country Doctor Museum presents the history of medicine in rural America. It is housed in two restored 19th-century doctor’s offices. Tours for school groups include a hands-on educational activity for elementary and middle school children. The museum thus combines its historic setting with an educational offering for these age groups.

Along the Tar River and Among Green Spaces

Sunset Park covers 25 acres along the Tar River and offers a boat ramp with access to the river. Its Amusement Center features a historic miniature train, an antique carousel, a splash pad, and a bug-themed children’s ride for guests under 40 inches tall. The park thus offers both access to the water and a variety of rides and play areas.

The Tar River Paddle Trail has ten canoe and kayak access points and connects more than 55 miles of the Tar River and Stony Creek. The section in Nash County is accessible via Old Bailey Highway Access and Highway 58 Access. Along the route, paddlers can experience rural landscapes and small rapids; the history of Battle Park and Little Falls is also among the trail’s points of interest.

Another way to explore the area is the seven-mile Rocky Mount Greenway. The system connects parks near downtown Rocky Mount along the Tar River. The Nash County Arboretum focuses on botanical collections and is open year-round for self-guided exploration. The Paddle Trail and Greenway differ in their focus on waterways and park connections, respectively, while the arboretum offers a botanical focus.

When planning a hotel stay, consider which of these interests you want to shape your itinerary: mill history and theater, museums, paddling, or botanical collections. The attractions described offer a variety of themes, without requiring you to limit your trip to just one way of exploring.

Discover more destinations: Rocky Mount, Transylvania County, Guilford, Randolph County, Cherokee County, Currituck County, Montgomery County, Craven County.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.