In August, numerous North Carolina cultural institutions came together to raise funds to preserve Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, N.C. The building, which was scheduled for demolition, was purchased in 2017 by four New York City-based artists who, in 2018, were able to get the building designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A preservation campaign for the home was launched as part of Come Hear NC’s year-long campaign to champion North Carolina’s musical heritage. 

This week, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina Arts Council, the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that more than $60,000 had been raised during the North Carolina Year of Music efforts. These efforts culminated in a special performance on August 17 at the NC Museum of Art by Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone. 

In a press release, Susi H. Hamilton,  secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said that “Nina Simone is an icon of American music, and a true North Carolina treasure. It has been an honor to partner with the National Trust to bring awareness not only to the plight of Nina Simone’s home in Tryon but to the outstanding work the Trust does every day to preserve our country’s culture and heritage.”

You can read more about the story behind the preservation effort here. 

sedwards@indyweek.com

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