by Darcy Dean
In 1984, Vollis Simpson, a retired machinery repair shop worker, began to create strange structures from old parts on his family farm that is located about 11 miles outside of downtown Wilson, North Carolina. Slowly and slowly, they grew, and Simpson even began to use machinery that he had previously used for moving houses. They grew to the enormous size of 40-50 feet in height. They were also a wide range of colors and all kinds of brilliant and intricate designs. But what was Vollis Simpson building? They ended up being enormous windmills, also called whirligigs, and those are the same whirligigs that sit in the heart of Downtown Wilson in the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park to this day.
As Vollis Simpson’s health declined, later into his life, the whirligigs began to fall into disrepair, and the members of Wilson County soon realized that if no one took action, then there would soon be no more whirligigs left to repair. In 2010, a plan was made to create a park and to move the whirligigs into Wilson so that they could be better cared for and get the care that they need more often and could be enjoyed by more people. The plan was to save the Whirligigs and to get more attention from more people in Wilson at the same time.
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park was a huge hit in Wilson, and features thirty amazing Whirligigs. The park is open from 5:00-12:00 AM every day, including holidays, and is even free to get into. The address of the park is 301 S. Goldsboro Street Wilson, NC 27893. I have been to the two-acre park three times and have been enraptured by the intricate designs of the Whirligigs every time. My personal favorite of the Whirligigs is the one that features two mules and a cart with a person inside of it. This particular whirligig has a sign on it that reads "Mule Train" so therefore I refer to it as the "Mule Train Whirligig." It depicts a man driving a cart that is pulled by two mules and it has an airplane hanging from the bottom of the whirligig. The back of the Mule Train Whirligig is an exceptionally large windmill that turns in circles in the breeze. I am not sure why this whirligig happens to be my favorite, but I just really enjoy watching this one in particular.
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park also includes a large stage or amphitheater as well as a central grassy area. Due to these two assets, the park is able to host large events, concerts, and all types of performances. Some examples of events that they host are plays, dance routines, and musical performers. If you want to know about some upcoming events at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, you can simply go to their website and click on the calendar of events. It shows you a complete list of all upcoming events and activities that are scheduled for the future.
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