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Princeton Grade School renovation will proceed in phases; presenters highlight historic African American cemetery and plan August event
Summary
Project representative Kate Burnley described a three-phase renovation of Princeton Grade School including a commercial kitchen and cultural programming. Speakers noted a small, historically listed African American cemetery on the school grounds and discussed an August 14 gathering to mark preservation work.
Kate Burnley, a representative for the Princeton grade school project, told the board that renovation work will proceed in phases aimed at reactivating the school for community and educational programming.
Burnley described Phase 1 as renovation of the 1925 section to make it operational; Phase 2 as repair and restoration of the 1960s portion (noting the 1960s side currently lacks a roof); and Phase 3 as construction of an additional building and installation of a commercial kitchen to support programming. She said contractors will begin initial tree-preservation work (Duke Energy crews to protect a large oak) early the following morning and that broader construction activity was scheduled to begin the next Monday.
Burnley said the school will host educational and cultural programs and expressed interest in partnering with public schools for after-school offerings. She listed possible cultural events ranging from Juneteenth observances to music and dance nights.
Board members asked about a historic cemetery adjacent to the building. Burnley and other participants said the cemetery, on the right corner behind the school, has been identified as the town’s first African American cemetery and is listed with the Johnston County historical society. Presenters estimated the marked grave count at roughly "maybe 50," with other participants characterizing the site as smaller than 75 graves; officials noted that official burial records are incomplete or mixed (funeral home logs and state records were referenced during the discussion). A resident referenced as Mr. Fox was identified by another speaker as having written about the cemetery.
Burnley asked the board to coordinate logistics for an event and said the earliest date she could assemble state participants was August 14; she indicated state cultural resources staff could attend for a dedication or preservation event. Burnley also asked for help with physical logistics (e.g., shovels) and said the project team would consult with the state for ceremony planning.
The discussion in the meeting was largely descriptive and planning-focused; the board did not take a binding preservation vote or adopt a formal resolution at this session.
