In 2018, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Nina Simone’s Childhood Home as a National Treasure. Since this milestone designation, the National Trust has worked with local partners in North Carolina to restore the home and to envision a future use that honors the legacy of Nina Simone.

This spring, the local community is invited to join the National Trust and its partners to participate in these efforts. In partnership with the Roseland Center, Inc., Unity in the Community, Inc., and St. Luke C.M.E Church, we are presenting a series of engagement opportunities for the community to give input on the future use of this National Treasure.

Nina Simone’s Childhood Home provides an important lens for examining the contours of her life and the long-overlooked story of African American struggle and achievement in the Jim Crow South. We hope that you will join us for this important opportunity for community feedback.

These events are being presented with support from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, February 22, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Roseland Center
56 Peake Street
Tryon, NC 28782

Celebrate Nina Simone: A Birthday Celebration - In celebration of Nina Simone’s 85th birthday, a celebration will be held at the Roseland Center to honor Nina Simone. In addition to the celebration, attendees will be able to learn more about the project and to share ideas and provide input on the future use of her childhood home with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Refreshments will be provided. This event is presented in partnership with the Roseland Center.

Saturday, March 21, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
St. Luke C.M.E Church
462 Markham Road
Tryon, NC 28782

The community is invited to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation and St. Luke C.M.E for a facilitated discussion on Nina Simone’s Childhood Home. Ideas for the future use of the home and its impacts on the neighborhood, local residents, and surrounding community will be discussed. Refreshment will be provided. This event is presented in partnership with St. Luke C.M.E Church.

Saturday, March 21, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
New Bethel A.M.E Zion Church
263 Forest Street
Forest City, NC 28043

The community is invited to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Unity in the Community, Inc to learn more about the restoration of Nina Simone’s Childhood Home and to share ideas on its future use. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Tolbert, senior field officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at 312-610-5601.