ADACHI REVIEW

Beneath the shade of towering trees and against the backdrop of rural Chowan County farmland, visitors stepped back in time during the annual Rocky Hock Summer Heritage Festival, a celebration of the people, traditions and skills that helped shape northeastern North Carolina.

The festival transformed the Heritage Village grounds into a living history experience where generations gathered to explore the tools, crafts and food ways of an earlier era. Throughout the day, artisans demonstrated skills that were once essential to everyday life, offering visitors a hands-on glimpse into the region's agricultural and cultural heritage.

Moriah Markoya and the entire Homestead team created an event drawing a record crowd.

One of the most popular attractions featured traditional tin-smithing demonstrations, where skilled craftsmen shaped and formed metal using period tools and techniques. Festival-goers watched as sheets of metal were carefully hammered and molded into useful household items, much as local craftsmen would have done more than a century ago. Visitors, including children, were invited to try their hand at pulling wire under  the guidance of experienced demonstrators.

Nearby, tables lined with antique farm and woodworking tools sparked conversations among longtime residents eager to share memories of how the implements were once used. From hand planes and saws to specialized farming equipment, the collection served as a reminder of the ingenuity and hard work that built the region's farming communities. One display even drew smiles with a humorous sign reading, "Ashes from the man who stole one of my tools."

Food was another highlight of the day. Volunteers prepared traditional favorites over open fires and outdoor cookers, including large kettles filled with homemade fare. The aroma of cooking food drifted through the village as families gathered to enjoy a meal and visit with friends. While the foods of yesterday were simmering, the sizzle of hamburgers and hot dogs drew a lengthy line of burger lovers.

The festival also attracted many young families. Children dressed in period-inspired clothing explored the grounds, watched demonstrations and learned firsthand about the skills and traditions that connected earlier generations to the land.

More than just a festival, the Rocky Hock Heritage Festival continues to serve as a living classroom, preserving local history while creating new memories for those who attend. As visitors wandered through Heritage Village, shared stories and enjoyed the simple pleasures of a summer day, they were reminded that preserving the past is often best accomplished by experiencing it together.

The annual event once again demonstrated why Heritage Village remains one of Chowan County's most treasured links to its rural roots, bringing history to life one demonstration, one story and one shared experience at a time.

It was last May that Down East Preservation opened the doors of the Hotel Hinton to the public. Amidst the representatives from Down East and SAGA Development curious residents enjoyed a tour of the future décor while sipping champagne in celebration of the hotel’s future rebirth.

Often an elaborate celebration of a project’s beginning also starts the ticking of a subliminal clock in the public’s eye. 

During Tuesday night’s, June 9, 2026 Edenton Town Council meeting Down East Preservation President Dawson Tyler, took the time to offer an update on the progress his company is making on the restoration of the long closed Hotel Hinton. The report was positive and good news for the town and the long awaited injection of life into the building.

The E. King St. property, just a block down from Broad St., is undergoing a complete renovation and Tyler explained the complexities of such a massive undertaking. The assembling of craftsmen and contractors dealing with plumbing, electrical HVAC and structural engineering behind the walls, while  taking the building back to its ultimate historic look could at times be daunting.

Tyler made a presentation to the Edenton Preservation Commission earlier in the week and offered renderings of the hotel’s future interior and facade. However, the notice posting of the public hearing had been removed from the building. Since proper notification had not been given a new meeting notice will be posted for a future hearing.

“The Hotel Hinton’s plans call for restoring the colonnade to it’s original purpose, restoring the rail above the colonnade to the way it was, restoring the windows that are under the balcony to the way they were, and restoring the balcony, so it can be used for a future bridal suite,” explained Tyler. “The other two main changes are the two storefronts that exist on the right and left, the right hand one to be a tavern, the left hand one to be an art gallery/meeting space. 
So personally I am really buoyed by where we stand.”

While in the public’s eye it may appear there is a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, behind the scenes is where progress is most apparent. 

“Two weeks ago, we turned in 100 percent construction drawings to Chowan County Inspections. That's a big, big moment in this process. 
So Kent and Luke with the county, have started their review of the documents that we now worked on for a bit over a year. Everything from electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, life safety systems, the restoration of the lobby, the kitchen that's going to  go in the new tavern, the design of the tavern, the layout of the gallery space and all of the rooms,” explained Tyler, pointing to a slide of complex drawings.

“I personally have not ever been involved in a project that has so many different moving pieces and parts. 
And, you know, I had some mentors of mine say, ‘It's just like a house, Dawson. It just a bigger box,’ I would say that's not true.”

The Hotel Hinton project follows Down East Preservation’s April completion of the Kadesh Church preservation.  

“This project truly is amazing from architects to engineers, to mechanical engineers, plumbers, electricians, to experts on brick, to people that do roofing, bringing all that together has been quite a challenge, but we have gotten there. So now we have the final documents and we are rolling.”

Tyler explained due to the massive complexities of the plans it could take up to two months, possibly longer for plan approval.