Posted in North Carolina Attractions, Parks & Gardens March 08, 2021 by Robin Jarvis

The History Behind This Whimsical Park In North Carolina May Surprise You

North Carolina is home to a number of whimsical attractions, but none are quite as unique as is the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson. Found at 301 Goldsboro Street, the park encompasses half a city block and is filled with enormous works of art created by local resident Vollis Simpson, a former machine shop repairman.

Vollis passed away at age 94 in 2013. In the years he lived outside of town he amassed quite a collection of whimsical hand-crafted windmills he'd created during his life.

A collection that by the early 2000s was withering away in a crowded space in his own yard outside of town. After Simpson's death, that soon changed. You see, for years, the windmill collection (called whirligigs) was one of the biggest tourist attractions IN Wilson.

So, naturally, the city wanted to give them a new, permanent home. So it set about restoring the pieces...

And one by one, the entire collection of whirligigs was moved to Goldsboro Street in Wilson. It would take years and years to complete the project.

And in 2018, the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park opened!

As it's located in the heart of Wilson, it's also a venue for concerts and other events.

The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight. Add it to your must-visit list the next time you're in the area.

Wilson is 18 miles south of Rocky Mount and 50 miles east of Raleigh.

Learn more about Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park by visiting the official website for the park. And while you’re in Wilson, head over to the beautiful Wilson Botanical Gardens. Both of these locations are absolutely free to visit!

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Address: 301 Goldsboro St S, Wilson, NC 27893, USA