A treat awaits whirlygig fans in Wilson, NC...
When we passed through Lucama, NC a few years ago, we had the pleasure of seeing the fantastic and garganuan whirlygigs of Vollis Simpson 'in the wild'. After his death in 2013, nearby Wilson, NC announced their plans to relocate, restore, and display his works in their town.
Prepare yourself... the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park now has a foothold, with an enlarging footprint, in Wilson!
 |
| Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson, NC (December 2014) |
The Whirligig Park will be constructed in three phases, beginning with Phase 1 in the Fall of 2013. Phase 1 will include storm water structures, infrastructure work, water and electrical, footings for all thirty-one Whirligigs, and rough grading. Eight to ten of Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs will be installed, including the 55' long and 40 some feet high V. Simpson whirligig…to give the community a preview of what is to come in the later phases.
Phase 2 is hoping to start Fall of 2014 and will consist of installation of the plaza, amphitheater, shade structure, and more Whirligigs. Phase 3 will follow and consist of installation of the interactive water feature, lighting and controls, signage, trees, shrubs, benches, bike racks, and the final Whirligigs.
Twenty-one of the planned thirty-one whirligigs have been moved from the Simpson Farm into the warehouse space at Repair and Conservation Headquarters in Historic Downtown Wilson to be conserved. At the corner of Douglas and Barnes Street, a team of specially-trained community members, including former mechanics and engineers, are working on both mechanical repairs and surface conservation of the pieces. When a new whirligig comes in, the preservation team evaluates it’s condition, frequently consults with outside conservators, to decide the best course of action. This often involves completely removing reflectors,sometimes as many as 2000 per piece, replacing bearings, re-engineering Vollis’ mainly ad-hoc welding and mechanics, repainting surfaces, and re-attaching reflectors. Through this process, fresh coats of epoxy and paint are being applied daily and many of the formerly immobile and rusted whirligigs have now been brought back to seamless spinning shape.
You can also stop by the Conservation Headquarters, Monday through Thursday 9-5 at 305 Barnes Street in Historic Downtown Wilson - although we were there on a Sunday morning.
So whether you spell whirleygig with a 'Y' or an 'I', this park is bound to grow into the epicenter of whirleygigdom! It's located in the Historic Downtown of Wilson, near the intersection of Goldsboro St (S) and South St (S) - shown below - just down the street from Worrell's Seafood restaurant.
So whether you spell whirleygig with a 'Y' or an 'I', this park is bound to grow into the epicenter of whirleygigdom! It's located in the Historic Downtown of Wilson, near the intersection of Goldsboro St (S) and South St (S) - shown below - just down the street from Worrell's Seafood restaurant.
