Celebrating the MST in Roseboro

Roseboro is one of those special towns on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail where not only does the trail go directly through town, but the town and the community have truly embraced the MST and what it can mean for the area.

On September 17, more than 100 people from the community and across the state came out to celebrate and learn more about the MST and its impact on Roseboro. Despite the rain forcing the event inside, everyone enjoyed the fellowship and connections, which is what we hope the MST can spark in communities across the state.

In Roseboro, the MST follows an old railroad bed through downtown. A couple years ago Friends of the MST, in partnership with the Town of Roseboro, began planning to turn that route into a brick pathway and community gathering space. As we undertook that effort, we offered an opportunity for people to support our work and have their name engraved on one of the bricks being placed directly on the trail.

And, thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, we highlighted and recognized some of the notable leaders, businesses and sites from the town’s Black community. Friends of the MST expresses our gratitude to Ms. Rubestene Potter for donating her time and energy to research and document those important figures now memorialized on the bricks. As you walk the MST through Roseboro, we hope you’ll reflect on the contributions of many whose history is often overlooked.

At the event, the Town of Roseboro also unveiled its Roseboro Heritage Trail, which will be an evolving trail around town to highlight some of the town’s history and to encourage residents and visitors alike to get moving and explore.

Thanks to the Sampson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for their support of the MST in Sampson County, Patagonia for supporting the community celebration event and the volunteers that helped make all of this possible.

Aside from Ben Jones with Friends of the MST, speaking at the event were: