Title: Lincoln City Exchange
Location of Proejct: Kinston, NC
Project Completion Date: 4-30-2021
Firm Name:

Short Description: This adaptive reuse project utilizes an existing structure in order to create a space for the people of Kinston to commemorate through the storytelling of cultural history, community, and education. Lincoln City Exchange is located at the tip of the proposed interconnected trail system In downtown Kinston. Situated near one of the major intersections of South Queen Street And East King Street, just after Lincoln Street. Or to the people that call it home, Lincoln City.

Architect's Statement: Lenior county was founded in 1758 and is grounded in the Neuse River watershed and is centrally located between Raleigh and the beaches of North Carolina. Lenior County has a rich history deeply rooted in tobacco farming and trading. Through the years the county has become known for its interest in the arts and music which can be seen in the Arts Neighborhoods. Lenior County is full of historical landmarks such as many Civil War battlefields and museums, the African American Music Trail, a Music Park, gunboats, and a riverwalk that allows visitors to explore the Neuse.

This adaptive reuse project utilizes an existing structure in order to create a space for the people of Kinston to commemorate through the storytelling of cultural history, community, and education. Lincoln City Exchange is located at the tip of the proposed interconnected trail system In downtown Kinston. Situated near one of the major intersections of South Queen Street And East King Street, just after Lincoln Street. Or to the people that call it home, Lincoln City.

In the Lincoln City Exchange, the first floor of the existing building houses the museum space that doubles as an area for reception. The first floor addition is the central corridor that contains the services spaces guides guest to the semi-enclosed courtyard or to the main museum hall.

The library on the second floor of the addition cantilevers over the courtyard and leads to a roof terrace on the side and front of the library. The library also serves as a storage area for museum exhibits in times of floods. The second floor is removed from the existing building to enhance the space by highlighting the features as well as the modest additions to existing openings.

The Lincoln City exchange is not only for the people of Kinston to connect, learn, and exchange the stories but serves as a safe space to bring to discuss a history that has affected many African American communities. The museum acts as a space for cultural exchange through storytelling while the library gives visitors a quiet area for learning. The lincoln city exchange is a space that provides tools and guidance to empower users with the knowledge to inspire conversation.

In 1914, the then-segregated Kinston was divided between its mostly white rural population and the concentrated African American population in Lincoln City. The city was created when black residents began purchasing small plots of land which grew into a neighborhood made up of business, churches, and schools.

However, in 1996, Hurricane Fran made landfall displacing many lincoln city residents. Shortly after, Hurricane Floyd caused nearly 28 feet of water from the Neues to wash out over 1,000 homes and more than 300 businesses. This flood disproportionately affected the low-income, African American residents, in the area, washing out the remainder of Lincoln City. While few buildings still remain, most were torn down after the flood buyout process.

But what tore this community apart, also brought it back together. Residents in this area have a proud legacy of music, community, and history that's celebrated often which can be seen in the annual Lincoln City reunion that began in 2007. Since then, approximately 3,000 current and former residents celebrate each year by exchanging stories and histories.
The Lincoln City Exchange is a cultural museum and library for the people of Kinston located on the corner lot of South queen street and East Bright Street. It is an adaptive reuse project that features an existing two-story classic revival cinder block building with a brick facade that was built in 1923 as The Peoples Bank. It was one of two African-American-owned banks to operate in the city of Kinston before it outgrew the building and sold it in 1933 when it momentarily became a Dry cleaning service. The dry cleaning service operated until 1959 when it became Hairy's Style Shop. After the barbershop moved it sat dormant until it was purchased in 2000 with hopes of it becoming the new cultural heritage museum. Since then, the brick building with the limestone arch has been unoccupied.

Since built in 1923, this building, registered with the National Register of Historic Places, has seen many owners and many natural disasters due to its location