Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary People: The artist behind Wilmington’s historic plaques

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The plaques outside historic homes across Wilmington tell visitors when a building was constructed, who lived there and how it became part of the city’s story.

What they do not reveal is the story of the woman behind the brush.

For more than four decades, Ruth Arnold has hand-lettered plaques for the Historic Wilmington Foundation, leaving her work on hundreds of homes across downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and surrounding neighborhoods.

Her career as a sign painter began almost by accident.

“My boss, Jesus Rodriguez, was an artist, and he made signs to make a living,” Arnold said. “And he hired me to be his secretary, and I wasn’t so good at it, so he started teaching me how to letter, and I was way better at that.”

That talent eventually became R.A.G.S. Signs and Graphics, the business Arnold operated on River Road. Over the years, she painted signs for businesses, boats and landmarks throughout the Cape Fear.

One of her most recognizable creations greets drivers as they enter Wrightsville Beach.

“One of the most recognizable hand-painted signs is the Welcome to Wrightsville Beach sign,” Arnold said. “A lot of people think it’s carved, but it’s actually hand-lettered, and did it 10, 12 at least years ago.”

Arnold sold the shop last year, but retirement did not mean putting down her paintbrush. She brought her favorite tools home and created a personal studio where she continues painting plaques for historic properties.

One of her latest plaques will soon be installed on a house in Wilmington’s Carolina Place neighborhood.

Before a plaque reaches Arnold, the Historic Wilmington Foundation verifies the history of the home and approves the information that will appear on the sign.

Arnold then draws guidelines, spaces each letter by eye and begins painting.

“I’m just writing, I’m writing with a paintbrush,” Arnold said. “You know? I’ve just taught myself over the years how to just write with a paintbrush.”

Some repeated elements of the plaques can be produced using other methods to help manage the workload, but the unique history of each home and the pinstripe around the plaque are still lettered by hand.

Arnold said the slight differences between her letters are not mistakes. Instead, the imperfections help the signs fit alongside homes that have aged, changed and been restored over generations.

“But that, that imperfection is what, um, lends itself to being part of the environment, and it looks good, and it, and it gives credibility to the homes,” Arnold said.

The color of each plaque also gives passersby an immediate clue about the age of the building.

Sapphire blue plaques with white lettering identify buildings that are at least 200 years old. Yellow or gold plaques with black lettering represent buildings between 150 and 199 years old.

Black plaques with white lettering mark buildings between 100 and 149 years old, while brown plaques with white lettering identify buildings between 75 and 99 years old.

By Arnold’s count, she has painted more plaques than she can easily remember.

“Hundreds. Hundreds and hundreds,” Arnold said. “Maybe a thousand, but hundreds and hundreds for sure.”

Her work can be found throughout Wilmington’s historic neighborhoods, creating a trail of local history one building at a time.

Arnold said seeing those plaques while walking downtown brings attention not only to her work, but also to the care property owners put into preserving their homes.

“I pretty much love it,” Arnold said. “I think it’s great to see your work hanging everywhere, but at the same time, it makes you really notice all the houses. And people love their houses. They have them so nicely appointed.”

Each plaque preserves a small part of Wilmington’s past, something Arnold believes remains important as the community continues changing.

“I think it’s important to know where we come from so maybe we can figure out where we’re going,” Arnold said.

For more than four decades, Arnold has helped Wilmington read where it came from, one home, one plaque and one carefully painted letter at a time.

You can nominate someone for Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary People here. All honorees get a year of free car washes from Tommy’s Express Car Wash.

This segment honors Donna Gregory, a beloved WWAY anchor who died in 2024 after a battle with lung cancer.

View more Extraordinary People stories here.