Parksdale is a two-story Greek Revival house originally built in 1857 for William S. Norwood, the first Mayor of Rich Square. The house exhibits three distinct architectural periods of construction. In addition to the original Greek Revival two-story center-hall-and-parlor plan, the house doubled in size in the late 19th century with the addition of four Victorian-style rooms. In the early 20th century, a two-room single-story kitchen addition was constructed.

Exterior details reflecting these three distinct styles include two doors on the front of the house with full length sidelights and transoms, fluted window surrounds, a wide bracketed cornice from the Greek Revival period, delicate sawn work on the second story porch, and expansion of the first-floor porch to a wraparound porch from the Victorian era.

Many historic interior features remain intact including heart pine floors, Greek Revival mantels, ornate fluted window and door surrounds, paneled wainscoting below the windows, elaborately carved newel posts and balustrades, and four-over-six and six-over-six windows from the Greek Revival era. Intact Victorian-style details include diagonal fireplaces and mantels, hardwood floors, and two-over-two windows. The front parlor, kitchen wing, and dining room retain many Craftsman details including a brick fireplace, 15-pane French doors leading into the dining room, and built-in butler’s cabinetry in the kitchen.

Rich Square is a town in Northampton County, North Carolina. The population was 958 at the 2010 census. Rich Square is located just 15 minutes from Scotland Neck, home to the world renowned Sylvan Heights Bird Park and local shops and restaurants!