Walking Tour of Loray Mill Village

Gastonia, NC
Thursday March 8
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Join us for a walking tour of Loray Mill Village to share history and architecture!  Jack Kiser, project manager of the Loray mill village revitalization and Gastonia resident for over 40 years, will lead a walking tour of the Loray mill village to highlight its rich architecture and history.

Preservation North Carolina’s Alfred C. Kessell History Center is proud to offer this program that will start with the Loray Mill, and will include Greasy Corner, three mill house types in the village, and will end with a sneak peek of the fully renovated Model Home. The route will be 1 mile in length.

“The mill and its village has such a rich, dynamic history. Attendees will gain insights into how the village changed over time, such as expansion of the mill and revitalization efforts today,” said Amanda Holland, Director of the Alfred C. Kessell History Center at Loray Mill. “Jack has such a wealth of knowledge, and we’re excited to get people out and exploring the village’s history.”

“As a place, Loray is truly fascinating, from how it was planned originally and all it had to offer, to its great potential today to be a vibrant diverse community,” said Jack Kiser.

The Loray mill village is the group of homes surrounding Loray Mill, built around 1910 and 1920. The homes housed mill workers and their family members. The village also included churches, schools, boarding houses, and a commercial area nicknamed “Greasy Corner.” The village thrived as the mill thrived. Preservation North Carolina has been actively involved in the revitalization of this neighborhood to reflect the renovation within the mill. Jack’s tour will include updates on those efforts, as well as a discussion on next steps.

The tour will start in front of Loray Mill at 5 pm. This is a free event, but a suggested donation of $5 to the Kessell History Center would be appreciated. Attendees are encouraged to wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. There is an additional walking tour on March 13.

If you plan to attend, please email Amanda Holland at aholland@presnc.org or call 980-266-9923.