Hope Mills Historic Preservation Commission

12/07/2025

The HPC had a great time at the Hope Mills parade yesterday with our "A Christmas Story" float! Congratulations to new Commissioner Hope Page (a former HPC member) and a big thank you to former Commisioner Joanne Scarola for helping the HPC! Thank you Karen Smith Saracen for the vision for our float! Merry Christmas to all the townspeople from the HPC!

11/30/2025

✨🎄 You’re Invited! Christmas Open House at the Thomas Oakman Chapel 🎄✨

Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas inside one of Hope Mills’ most treasured historical landmarks!
Join us December 5th from 5–8 PM, immediately following the Town Tree Lighting, for a festive open house at the Thomas Oakman Chapel on Main Street.

🎁 Tour the beautifully decorated sanctuary
🌲 Enjoy the glow of Christmas décor and rich history
📸 Perfect spot for holiday photos
🤝 Meet neighbors, celebrate community, and soak in the season

Bring your family and friends and make this a new holiday tradition. We can’t wait to welcome you! ❤️⛪️✨

11/30/2025

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… 🎄

11/19/2025

11/12/2025

📣 Join Us!
The Hope Mills Historical Commission will be meeting today, November 12th at 6:00 PM at the Thomas Oakman Chapel in Hope Mills, NC.

Come be a part of preserving our town’s rich history and shaping future projects that celebrate our community’s heritage. Everyone is welcome — we’d love to see you there! 🏛️✨

10/25/2025

We're all set up and ready to make some unforgettable memories at Ole Mill Days with you!!

10/22/2025

Come see us this Saturday at Ole Mills Day!

We’ll be at Hope Mills Municipal Park from 11:00–5:00 for one of the town’s favorite fall events — full of fun, food, vendors, and activities for the whole family! 🍂✨

Stop by our booth to learn about Hope Mills history.

It’s free entry, family-friendly, and a great way to celebrate our town’s proud past and bright future. 💛

📍 Hope Mills Municipal Park
📅 Saturday, October 25
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Come out and say hi — we can’t wait to see you there! 👋

Ok everyone check out our list of vendors, if your are not tagged and I missed your page please add yourself in the comments. Also is you are a vendor you must like our page in order to be tagged. Thank you. If you are signed up and haven’t pay, as soon as you pay we will add yourself to the list. Must be a paid Vendor.PB Productions, The Frisky Biscuit,The Yinzers Truck,Flavapalooza, LLC, Cuppa Yo Frozen Yogurt of Fayetteville,Poppy's Sweets & Treats,Nykenya Williams,Maliyah's Sweet Treats,Neat Knack Organizing Solutions,Here Ya Go Lemonade,Aphrodite,HIS RadioGood Seeds Farms,Ki Sweetz,Carolina Craft Barn,R Sweet Life,MARY KAY,Wild Bow Yonder,Gracie Mae's Bakery, LLC,Whimsical Wooden Boutique,Lynn M Kelly - State Farm Insurance,Julia Marie Scentsy,Simple Stitches Crochet and Crafts,Hope Mills Fire Department ,Hope Mills Chamber,Joanne Scarola - Hope Mills Commissioner,Dessert Kingzz,Elyse Craver Commissioner, Town of Hope Mills,VFW 10630 - Bryce H. Swindle,Fort Liberty Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,Fulfillity Books & More,Jones Financial Group,EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC,Cedar & Co.,Dee's Unique Designs,U Got Game VR,Jazzspirations,Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom,Linda's Heavenly Pillows and Things,Hope Mills Parks and Recreation,KG Inflatables & More LLC,LaFayette Funeral Home,Hope Mills Historic Preservation Commission,Balm In Gilead Family Counseling Ministries,Town of Hope Mills Fire Marshal's Office,Christina Duke Writer Author, Karla Marshburn My Front Porch NC, Wigglez Balloon Twister, Carla Tracy Carla’s Pretty Pieces, Barbara Prsscod Retiredand Gifted, Elizabeth Rogers Pretty and Personalized, Stan Futrell Southern Cross Farmhouse, Tierra Curry Stitch Creek Studios, Moriah Baldwin Chavis Book Author, Southview Crafting Sisters,Reneas FishNchick , Skylar Gourmet Popped Popcorn,Hope Mills Police Department,Hope Mills PD Foundation. If you are still interested please call me at 910-424-4497. All proceeds go to the Hope Mills Police Foundation.

09/25/2025

The Henry River Mill Village located near Morganton, NC. Luckily, our Mill Village remains mostly intact and represents a unique period in our town's history.

The Eerie and Haunted Henry River Mill Village

From making cotton yarn to making history as District 12 in the Hunger Games, the Henry River Mill Village in Hickory offers visitors a step back into the last century and the heritage of North Carolina mill towns.

The promise of jobs and prosperity attracted many, and before long, the town grew to incorporate more than 20 buildings, supporting a population that worked at the local mill producing fine yarn. But like every boom town we write about, the good times were destined to go bust.

The Henry River Mill burned in the 1970s, and the town was abandoned by the 1990s when the last residents split. In 2012, Hollywood came calling and pumped new life into the village when it became the perfect setting for the post-apocalyptic District 12 featured in the Hunger Games.

Wade Shepherd owned the town and died in 2015, two years before Henry River Mill Village sold. For almost 30 years, the village sat abandoned and added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 2019.

The Lantern spoke with Donovan on-site on Monday about the weird happenings in the historic mill village. According to Donovan, visitors interested in getting their spook on can with ghost tours on the property. I will be the first to say I got a weird vibe when I pulled in.

Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image: John G. Clark Jr.

08/14/2025

We want your opinion!

Would you like to help shape a new mural for the Town of Hope Mills?

We are applying for a fully funded Arts Mural Grant to install a vibrant mural at the Parks and Recreation building with 100% grant funding.

To ensure the mural reflects our community’s values, stories, and local pride, we’re asking residents to share their input through a brief 9 question survey.

🎨 Your voice matters! This is your chance to help influence the final design.

🕒 Estimated time to complete: 2–5 minutes
📲 To participate, scan the QR code below or click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJFVWRY

Thank you for helping us bring more art, color, and community spirit to Hope Mills!

05/25/2025

Please come and support this event! It will be a fun day with great prizes and supports our local Artist Village. Artist Village is a non-profit organization that brings music, theater, and special events on historic Trade Street!