The Northwest North Carolina Visitor Center and Rest Area opened in October 2009 in Wilkes County beside U.S. 421 northbound and the center is located between the N.C. 115 and Brushy Mountain Road. This is the state’s first green rest area. The building’s environmental improvements make it about 37% more efficient in saving energy than if it had been built with standard methods. The DOT is applying for a gold standard certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for the building.

The construction of the center was a cooperative effort among three local governing bodies and the DOT.  The County of Wilkes purchased the land for the center, while the Town of Wilkesboro extended water lines and the Town of North Wilkesboro provided wastewater lines for the area. Funding from the state and the County of Wilkes will finance the local paid staff in the visitor center, while the DOT will maintain the facility and grounds. 

The Rest Area                                                                       Innovative Design Brochure

It's not just a new rest area but it is the first of its kind that incorporates ideas to save energy.

• During construction, 90% percent of the yard waste was reused or recycled such as any tree stumps from the property were ground for the mulch on the walking trail

• Building has extra insulation

• Light green roof is covered in a smooth energy-rated membrane that doesn’t absorb as much heat in the summer and collects the rainwater from the roof of the center is being collected and filtered before being pumped into a 28,000-gallon on-site cistern. That water will be used for the toilets and will cut the use of potable water at the center by 75 percent. 

• An additional 13 wells were drilled on this property

• 14 photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into alternating current power for use in the facility and the system will produce enough electricity each year to power a typical home in the state for four months. These panels also stores and pre-heats water for the sinks

• Geothermal heating and cooling is being used to cut heating and cooling costs by 30%

• Numerous large windows to cut down on the need for artificial illumination during the day. Lights are hooked to sensors that will dim the fixtures during bright sunlight and motion sensors in the restrooms to turn off lights at night when the rooms are empty

The Visitor Center

The visitor center has a wide selection of brochures and literature on attractions, events and accommodations not only here in Wilkes but in a 10 county area of northwest North Carolina. Host counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Iredell, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin.  The large windows give visitors a panoramic view of the Brushy Mountains. The center has several "live" monitors to help the visitors and staff see energy collection and consumption.

There are also displays of arts and crafts from local residents. Those exhibits will be rotated quarterly with the items being chosen by a panel consisting of residents from each county. The first items on display are by artists from Wilkes and Surry counties. The items include: 

• Pottery by Patrice Melton of Wilkes

• Original oil painting by Wilkes artist,  Ward Nichols

• Hand-crafted walnut rocking chair by Lyle Wheeler of Millers Creek 

• Quilt by a Wilkes county quilter, Joan Scorof

• Dulcimer by John Maddocks of Purlear

• Small display of items from the Wilkes Heritage Museum

 In the middle of the center is a large sofa in front of a fireplace where visitors can relax. The center has tall wooden ceilings that are breath taking. The donated items include:

• Sofa was donated by Greene Brothers Furniture

• Wooden furniture was donated by American Drew Furniture

• Office furnishing provided by Lowe's Companies

• Telephones and Wi-Fi service was donated Embarq / CenturyLink.

• Copier was contributed by Document Imaging Solutions Inc.  

The visitor center is managed by the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, and all paid staff members except one are chamber employees. At least two volunteers will be on duty at all times to greet and talk with visitors, and additional volunteers are welcomed to apply at the center. To assist with funding for the operations of the center, the Wilkes Chamber will be soliciting sponsorships from local and regional companies. 

While the restrooms and concession areas will be open around the clock, the hours for the visitor center are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12:30-5:30 p.m., on Sundays. Hours could change according to usage.