Sixteen years ago, two close friends in Statesville — soldiers who’d been wounded in the Iraq War — set out on a journey to help themselves by helping others. Today, their nonprofit Purple Heart Homes has resulted in thousands of grateful families across the country.
More than a century ago, some called Statesville the liquor capital of the world. Then came Prohibition. Today, Southern Distilling Company is on a mission to prove that North Carolina spirits are more than just moonshine.
These working farms produce fruits, vegetables, herbs, and livestock — and set the stage for unforgettable life celebrations. This month, we trade the ballroom for the barn with nine inspiring places for a party.
From UNC Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library — housing what’s believed to be the largest library collection in the country devoted to a single state — to personal troves of duck decoys, pottery pieces, trains, tractors, and more: Meet the passionate collectors who curate the past and present, the serious and curious, the tangible items that tell the story of life in North Carolina.
Horse-drawn carriages, carolers on the sidewalks, storefronts aglow with Christmas lights: In December, downtown Statesville is full of comfort and joy. Even after the season ends, the magic lingers.
No longer mere trail fuel, craft jerky is having a moment. In the hands of North Carolina makers, this survival snack with ancient origins is upping its game.
In 1970, hippies took over Love Valley for a rock ’n‘ roll weekend.
The 3,000-year-old woman who once captivated generations of Statesville children — and helped launch the city’s first cultural arts center more than a half-century ago — has returned to claim the cultural spotlight and, in the process, revitalize the downtown museum she calls home.
For the highway traveler with stiff muscles and an empty belly, this town is a perfect stop.
