Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park – Wilson NC
We have been quarantining since mid-March and well, we just need to go someplace – safely, of course. What started as a question of what might be a fun day trip (within an hour of Wilmington) turned into a 2-hourish jaunt to Wilson NC to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum. Here’s a little history Vollis Simpson was the son of a farmer, and a world War II vet. Post-war he started a machinery repair shop, with friends. And eventually a house-moving side business. During both jobs, he began to collect odd machinery parts, industrial salvage, transportation supplies, and other objects. After his retirement he began constructing enormous windmills in his yard. Not the working windmills of grinding or irrigation use, but artistry that depicted the concepts of weather vanes and handcrafted whirligigs that are still seen locally on houses, fence posts and barns. His field of these “whirligigs” soon began attracting the attention of local people, and eventually with the advent of the Internet, visitors from out-of-state. Without any official advertising, Simpson’s farm became one of Wilson County’s top tourism destinations. You can learn more about the park here wilsonwhirligigpark.org
