Windsor-Bertie County Press Day

You should be seeing Windsor all over the news for the next couple of days. A large group of Newspapers, TV and Radio stations joined in for the Windsor-Bertie County Chamber of Commerce Press Day Tour held today.

Gathering At The Freeman Hotel

It was an all day event that started in the morning at the Freeman Hotel where the offices of the Chamber Of Commerce are located. LuAnn Joyner greeted everyone and made sure that we had our name tags and got a chance to meet everyone.

Arriving At Gray's Landing In Our Bus

We loaded up on the Press Bus provided and headed out. First stop was a chance to get coffee and sweet rolls at the Inn at Gray's Landing and see this magnificent bed and breakfast built in 1790. It is located at 401 South King Street. Holly Mack Bell gave some of the history of the famous (and infamous) people who have lived here. This includes John Johnson, attorney, who sued a certain Dr. Lennox of Edenton (known as the Seducer of Edenton) for alienation of affection of his wife.

Scalpi's Restaurant At Gray's Landing

We then took a tour of the Roanoke Chowan River Center. Phil Patrick explained the numerous activities they are involved in. They are focused on promoting environmental education and nature based tourism in our town and throughout the area.

Roanoke-Cashie River Center

Phil also led a tour of the faciility showing the many fascinating exhibits, including a live bee hive which has a window so you can see the bees at work. Even though it was the hottest day of the year (over 103 degrees I believe) we all went outside and enjoyed their boardwalk on the Cashie River with its amphitheater for special events.

Roanoke-Chowan River Center View From The Boardwalk

Next stop was the Bertie County Arts Council. This is a great location to get to know our local artists ...... and we have some great ones. We were told about an upcoming event for crafts and details of that event will be posted on the blog shortly. To see what the Arts Council events are like check out the previous story on Dr. Fred Saunders, or the story on Peggy Brinkley, Jacqueline Perry and Nancy Spruill. There is always something interesting to see at the Arts Council Center at 124 South King Street. It was at this stop that WCTI Channel 12 from New Bern conducted their interview of Mayor Bob Spivey. I hope you are able to see it when they show it on TV.

Bertie County Arts Council Hosts The Press

We then visited Powell and Stokes, the home of Bertie County Peanuts. They make the greatest jumbo peanuts in the world. Check out this earlier story on their great peanuts for details on how they make them. We got to see a great video of how peanuts are grown on this visit. While talking about some history Jack Powell showed us the safe that clearly shows the high flood level for hurricane Floyd. You can see the rust line on it below.

The Safe At Bertie County Peanuts

We then toured the Roanoke-Chowan Heritage Center at Historic Hope Plantation. Because it was a press tour, we were treated to lunch. At the time I was thinking that this was the first thing that happened all day that was different than anyone else visiting Windsor would have expeienced, only because it would normally cost. Everything else was free, just as it would be for you. Of course being in Windsor, they had to feed us Bunn's Barbecue. It is great barbecue!

Stopping To Admire The Hope Plantation View On The Way In

The tour of the David Stone mansion was conducted by Glen Perkins, who provided a great orientation for the entire facility. His interesting anecdotes included a story on the Sitting Room where it is thought the ceremony for David Stone's second marriage was held.

Hope Plantation Sitting Room

Numerous amazing pieces of period furniture and artifacts are on display. The great information on antiques and history is one thing that makes Hope Mansion so special. Fascinating history is a key aspect of their current exhibit on "Material Wealth In Bertie County" that was the subject of a recent article in this blog.

Holly Mack Bell Checks Out The Liquor Cabinet

David Stone was an amazing person. He graduated from Princeton, top in his class, and passed the Bar to become an attorney at the age of 20. He was a Superior Court Judge, spent 7 terms in the North Carolina House, was a State Senator, Governor of North Carolina, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator. A prolific reader, he had an amazing library. The Hope Plantation foundation is trying to recreate the library by gathering copies of all the books listed in his estate records.

David Stone Library

The day ended with a great tour of the beautiful Wetlands Walk behind the Freeman Hotel. For kids there is also a Zoo across from the hotel that is simply amazing for a town of Windsor's size. All in all it was a special day touring things that we all enjoy. Windsor is a great place. Try some of these sites yourself! Take a friend.

Cashie River Wetlands Walk