Before Nina Simone became the “High Priestess of Soul,” she was Eunice Waymon, a little girl growing up in a modest home in Tryon, North Carolina. Now, her childhood home—where she began developing her musical gifts—has been restored as a historical site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after years of disrepair and the threat of demolition.
The rehabilitation honors a crucial piece of Black history that deserves recognition for generations to come. As 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Simone’s iconic album “I Put a Spell on You,” there’s no better time to revisit the roots of Nina Simone and the woman whose voice and artistry remain unmatched. This is where it all began.
Before the Restoration
The home’s original wood siding and brick were still visible despite decades of decay. There was a quiet beauty to it—a structure that had sheltered a family and nurtured one of music’s greatest talents.
The Living Room – Before Restoration
The home was small but efficiently organized. You can still make out the spaces where the family slept, gathered, and managed household tasks like ironing—the kind of intimate details that tell the story of everyday life.
A Space to Cook and Sleep
The stove was modest, but it served its purpose. Through the kitchen doorway, you can glimpse one of the three bedrooms—spaces that held the dreams and hopes of a growing family.
Another Bedroom
Eight children lived here alongside their mother. Space was tight, but the home was full of life—laughter, music, and the kind of memories that shape a person forever.
An Updated View of the Outside
Simone lived in this home from 1933 to 1937 with her mother and seven siblings. The restored structure spans roughly 650 square feet across three rooms—a tight quarters that somehow contained the spark of genius.
Another View of the Front
The restored front porch, with its wraparound design, shows care and attention to historical accuracy. It’s the kind of space where a young girl might sit and dream, where neighbors might gather.
The Family Room
The preservation team maintained the original wall colors throughout the restoration. They made a deliberate choice to keep furnishings minimal—letting the bones of the space speak for themselves, allowing visitors to imagine the life that unfolded within these walls.
Kitchen Area
A shadow box marks where the original stove once warmed the house. Inside it, fragments of the original side paneling are preserved—small artifacts that connect visitors to the past.
The Home’s Original Varnish
Daydream Therapy, LLC purchased the home in 2016, stepping in just before it could be demolished. The company partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to guide the restoration and refurbishing process.
Another Original Feature
This opening released smoke from the kitchen stove—a practical detail that speaks to the ingenuity required to live comfortably in limited space. The team chose to preserve it as it was, honoring the solutions families created decades ago.
The View From the Living Room
Through this window, visitors can see the magnolia tree that has stood on the property for years. It was one of young Eunice’s favorite things to look at—a quiet refuge within her family home, a place where she could rest her mind.
Remnants of the Original Flooring
Fragments of the original linoleum flooring remain visible. In the 1930s, linoleum served a practical function—it helped seal gaps to prevent cold air from seeping up through the floorboards, a clever adaptation to the realities of Southern living.
The Rocking Chair Remains
One original piece from the home remains on the front porch—this rocking chair. Early photos showed one or two chairs sitting in that same spot. This one has been carefully restored and now welcomes visitors, as if waiting for someone to sit and reflect on the history held within these walls.
The Wraparound Porch
There’s something about a wraparound porch that speaks to Southern comfort and grace. It’s inviting, homely, a place where you can breathe and belong. It’s the kind of space where a girl might sit with her piano books, where possibility and imagination could flourish. Nina Simone’s story began here, in this modest home with its simple porch, in a place where dreams were still being born.
★TR★
