Prince’s Childhood Home: A Minneapolis Landmark in Limbo
The modest yellow house on the corner of Upton and Eighth avenues in north Minneapolis, the very place where music icon Prince spent his formative years, has recently achieved Minneapolis City Landmark status. Despite this significant recognition, the home currently sits abandoned and in need of considerable care, prompting local residents and experts alike to ponder its future and the best way to honor its profound legacy.
Where Musical Greatness Took Root
For Charles Smith, Prince’s second cousin, the yellow house holds a treasure trove of memories. He vividly recalls visiting daily, sitting beside Prince at the piano in the basement bedroom. There, they would collaborate, Smith providing beats while Prince experimented, learning themes from beloved shows like “Sanford and Son” and “Batman,” and mastering tunes picked up from the radio. Smith describes witnessing Prince’s “unearthly” talent unfold, recalling how he “just started playing this guitar like he had been playing it 100 years,” even emulating Carlos Santana in that very basement.
Local Prince expert Kristen Zschomler, a co-founder of SoundAround music tours, provides historical context, noting the Nelson family purchased the house in March 1965, just before Prince’s seventh birthday. Prince resided there until he was 12, and it was within these walls that “by the age of 8, he mastered the piano.” Zschomler highlights the challenging but formative period when his parents divorced, and his father moved out, granting him “unlimited access” to the piano. This was also where Prince would bike to the record shop, diligently transcribe lyrics, and then figure out the chords on the piano, solidifying his path to artistry. Zschomler firmly states, “But for this place, he wouldn’t have become the artist that he was.”
The surrounding North Minneapolis community also played an integral part in Prince’s burgeoning musical journey. Charles Smith remembers “a couple ladies that had organs in their house,” including a piano teacher, Ms. Harper, who welcomed Prince to play anytime. He even borrowed a drum set from a white house across the street, bringing it over for Prince, thus providing the future superstar with essential instruments and an early stage for collaboration.
From Modest Home to City Landmark
Kristen Zschomler’s extensive research into the home’s history and its pivotal role in Prince’s development proved instrumental in the City of Minneapolis’s decision to grant it landmark status. For Zschomler, who found Prince “such an important artist in my life,” contributing to his legacy through preservation was a deeply personal mission. Charles Smith expressed pride in the designation, saying, “I think that’s fly. I’m inspired. That’s pretty good for where we come from.” Both agree that preserving “a place that helped make Prince, is just so critical.”
The Unanswered Question: What Comes Next?
Despite the significant landmark designation, the key question remains: “what happens next?” The house, once impeccably styled by Prince’s mother with “beautiful flowers all around,” now stands abandoned. Charles Smith laments, “She would go, ‘What has happened to my house?'” He hopes for a future where people driving by would instinctively know “that it was Prince’s house,” suggesting that awareness might lead to better care.
| Aspect | Current Status & Condition | Vision for the Future |
|---|---|---|
| Property State | Abandoned, “in need of TLC” | Preserved and cared for |
| Community Awareness | Often unrecognized by passersby | Publicly known as “Prince’s spot” |
| Purpose | Untapped potential for inspiration | Community music program, lesson space |
| Historical Value | Recently granted landmark status | Active celebration of Prince’s legacy |
The struggle to determine the house’s future echoes similar challenges faced with other musical legends’ homes, such as Aretha Franklin’s childhood residence in Memphis. Zschomler suggests that “Some sort of community music program, I think, would just be so fitting.” Smith wholeheartedly agrees, stating, “I like the music lesson thing. Genius can come up out of anywhere,” emphasizing the potential for the home to inspire a new generation of talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current status of Prince’s childhood home?
The yellow house on Upton and Eighth avenues in North Minneapolis is currently abandoned and in need of care, despite recently being granted Minneapolis City Landmark status. - Why is this house historically significant?
Prince lived in this home from ages 7 to 12. It was here that he mastered the piano by age 8, developed his initial musical skills with his cousin Charles Smith, and began his creative journey of learning songs and writing lyrics. - Who provided insights into Prince’s time in the home?
Prince’s second cousin, Charles Smith, shared personal recollections of their early musical collaborations. Kristen Zschomler, a local Prince expert and co-founder of SoundAround music tours, conducted crucial research for its landmark designation and provided historical context. - What are the proposed ideas for the home’s future?
Suggestions include establishing a community music program or turning it into a publicly recognized site dedicated to inspiring new musical talent, similar to discussions around Aretha Franklin’s childhood home.
The future of Prince’s childhood home offers an exciting opportunity for Minneapolis to not only preserve a vital piece of its cultural heritage but also to create a living tribute that cultivates new generations of “unearthly” talent, ensuring the Purple One’s legacy continues to resonate within the community.
Prince childhood home a landmark in limbo
