You’re driving through Eastern North Carolina, maybe headed toward the coast or just passing through the intersection of I-95 and US-64, and you see it. It’s not just another municipal building. The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences in Rocky Mount is basically the heartbeat of a city that has spent decades trying to figure out its second act. Honestly, if you grew up around here, you remember the old Imperial Tobacco powerhouse. It was a relic. Now, it’s this massive, 135,000-square-foot campus that somehow manages to house a theater, a planetarium, a children’s museum, and an art gallery without feeling like a cluttered mess. It’s impressive.
People call it the "Imperial Centre," but that’s shorthand for a complex that literally saved the historic downtown from becoming a ghost town of brick and mortar.
The Rebirth of the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences
Let’s get real about the history. This wasn’t some "build it and they will come" whim. The facility sits on the site of the former Imperial Tobacco Company and the Braswell Memorial Library. After Hurricane Floyd absolutely gutted Rocky Mount in 1999, the city had a choice. They could let the downtown rot, or they could double down on culture. They chose the latter. It cost over $30 million—a staggering sum for a town this size back then—but the result is a LEED-certified marvel that kept the original industrial aesthetic. You can still feel the "old" Rocky Mount in the high ceilings and the way the light hits the exposed brick. It’s cool.
More Than Just a Museum
Most folks show up for the Children’s Museum and Science Center. It’s the big draw. If you have kids, you know the drill: you need somewhere they can burn energy without breaking your living room furniture. The museum has these interactive exhibits that focus on the ecology of the Tar River. It’s local. It’s specific. You aren’t looking at generic science; you’re looking at the Live Animal Gallery where they keep snakes, turtles, and fish native to North Carolina.
Then there’s the Cummins Planetarium. It’s got a 30-foot dome. They recently upgraded to a 4K digital projection system. Looking up at a simulation of the Milky Way while sitting in a repurposed tobacco factory is a weirdly poetic experience.
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The Arts Side of the Equation
If science isn't your thing, the Maria V. Howard Arts Center is right there. They run about ten exhibitions a year. It’s not just local hobbyists, either. They host the Handcrafted Juried Exhibition, which pulls in artists from across the entire country. It’s a legit venue. The curators don't play it safe; you'll see contemporary sculpture that feels like it belongs in a gallery in Charlotte or Raleigh, but it's sitting right here in Rocky Mount.
The theater is another beast entirely.
The Rocky Mount Children’s Theatre and the community theater groups use a 250-seat venue that feels intimate.
You’ve probably seen better acoustics in a $100 million Broadway house, sure.
But there is something raw about seeing a local production of The Wiz or Rent in a space that used to process tobacco leaves.
It’s grit meets glamour.
Why You Should Actually Care
Downtown Rocky Mount has struggled. We can be honest about that. For a long time, the Imperial Centre was an island of activity in a sea of empty storefronts. But lately, things are shifting. The Rocky Mount Mills development just down the road—with its breweries and loft apartments—has created a sort of "cultural corridor." You can spend a morning at the planetarium, grab a craft beer at the Mills, and then walk the Tar River Trail.
The Centre serves as the anchor. It’s the reason the city’s heart is still beating. It’s also incredibly affordable. Compared to the science museums in Durham or Raleigh, your wallet won't feel like it’s been mugged.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There is a misconception that the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences is just for field trips. It’s not.
They do these "After Dark" events for adults.
Think cocktails and telescopes.
Think pottery classes where you actually get your hands dirty on a Friday night.
It’s a social hub.
The complexity of the space is what makes it work. You have the Arts Center on one side and the Science Center on the other, joined by a central lobby that feels like a modern cathedral. The city manages it directly, which means it’s tied to the tax base, but also means it’s deeply invested in the community. It’s not some distant corporate entity.
Navigating Your Visit
Don't just walk in the front door and expect to see everything in an hour. It’s too big.
- Check the Planetarium Schedule: The shows run on a specific loop. If you miss the 2:00 PM show, you’re waiting a while.
- The Second Floor: People often miss the upper galleries in the Arts Center. Some of the most provocative traveling exhibits end up up there.
- Outdoor Space: The courtyard is a great spot to decompress. The architecture itself is the exhibit. Look at how the new glass connects to the 100-year-old brick.
The Reality of the Impact
Is it perfect? No.
The area around it is still recovering.
You might see some construction or some empty lots nearby.
But the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences stands as a proof of concept. It proves that small Southern cities don't have to settle for strip malls and fast food. They can have "real" culture.
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The staff there are locals. They know the history of the buildings because their grandfathers probably worked in them. That kind of institutional memory is something you can't buy with a grant. When you talk to the educators at the Science Center, they aren't just reciting a script. They’re talking about the river that flooded their town and the stars that they see from their own backyards.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- Timing is Everything: Go on a weekday morning if you want the science center to yourself. Go on a Saturday if you want to feel the energy of a bustling community.
- Combined Tickets: Always ask about the "all-access" pass. It’s usually a few dollars more than a single-center ticket but covers the planetarium and both museums.
- The Gift Shop: Surprisingly, it’s not all junk. They carry work from local North Carolina potters and artists. If you want a souvenir that isn't a plastic dinosaur, look there.
- Photography: The lighting in the old tobacco warehouse sections is a dream for photographers. Bring a real camera if you have one; the shadows on the brickwork are incredible.
The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences isn't just a building in Rocky Mount. It’s a statement. It says that the past can be repurposed into something that actually serves the future. Whether you’re a science nerd, an art snob, or just a parent looking for a way to survive a rainy Tuesday, this place is the real deal. It’s authentic North Carolina. It’s worth the stop.
To get the most out of your visit, check the current exhibition calendar on the official City of Rocky Mount website before you go, as the Maria V. Howard Arts Center rotates its main collections every few months. If you are traveling with a group of ten or more, call ahead to secure a guided tour of the historic tobacco facility's preservation features—it adds a layer of historical context you won't get from the signage alone. Combine your trip with a visit to the nearby Rocky Mount Mills for a full day of exploring the city’s industrial revitalization.