ARCHAEOLOGY

The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office statewide inventory contains information on over 150 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in Rockingham County. Archaeological survey and recording the remains of structures of the Dan River Navigation System resulted in the Dan River Navigation System National Register nomination in 1984.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

Comprehensive surveys have been conducted in Eden, Reidsville, and Madison with grant assistance and staff supervision by the Historic Preservation Office. The three surveys resulted in publications. In 1995, the city of Eden undertook a survey update of the town and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. A reconnaissance survey of the rural portions of the county was conducted in 1997-1998 under the sponsorship of the Historic Preservation Office.

GRANTS

Federal grants totaling $67,412 and state grants totaling $425,200 have been awarded to county projects. Major recipients included the Governor Reid House, the Penn House in Reidsville, the Wright Tavern in Wentworth, the Rockingham Theatre in Reidsville, the Madison Colored School, the pagoda at Chinqua-Penn, the Eden survey, and a county reconnaissance survey.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Forty-one National Register listings in Rockingham County include seven districts in Eden, Madison, and Reidsville and eleven places along the Dan River associated with the Dan River Navigation System.

LOCAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS

The Historic Preservation Office has reviewed and offered advisory comment on designation reports for two local districts in Madison and two local districts and two local landmarks in Reidsville. Eden, Madison, and Reidsville all have historic preservation commissions.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS

The Belvedere Hotel and the former Reidsville High School, income-producing tax credit projects in Reidsville, have been completed at a construction investment of $4,549,200; the Rhode Island Mill in Eden is currently under rehabilitation. One residential renovation has been completed to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing historic structures, and one residence is currently being rehabilitated under the program. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all preservation tax credit projects.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

The Historic Preservation Office and the town of Madison published An Architectural and Historical Survey of Madison, North Carolinain 1979. The Historic Preservation Office assisted the city of Reidsville in publishing Reidsville, North Carolina: An Inventory of Historic and Architectural Resources in 1981. In 1986 the Historic Preservation Office also assisted the City of Eden in publishing A Tale of Three Cities: Eden's Heritage, A Pictorial Survey.

RESTORATION

The Historic Preservation Office has provided technical preservation services to state and federal grant recipients including the Governor Reid House and the Wright Tavern. Advisory services have also been provided to Chinqua-Penn, a state-owned property, as well as to privately-owned properties such as High Rock Plantation.