Reynolda Gardens and The Wake Forest University Campus

I live on an old parcel of Kate Reynolds' "Reynolda" estate. I have been fascinated by the American Country House Movement, Arts and Crafts, and Pre Raphaelite aesthetics rising from the prosperity of the industrial revolution. Fueled with fresh cash and ironically reacting to mechanization, this romantic movement celebrated sweeter, more bucolic times. I walk through the estate nearly every day, and often attend exhibits and events at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. The generosity and vision of the Reynolds family has had a profound impact on Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University was transferred and expanded to the estate by the Reynolds family, and since then most of the Reynolda property has been absorbed by the University.

The long, low slung "Bungalow" with deep eaves, is too large to capture in a single frame. Charles Barton Keen (1868-19310), of Philadelphia, was commissioned to site and design the main house, farm buildings, church and other dependencies on the assemblage of farms that Kate's husband, Richard Joshua Reynolds purchased for her, in her name--remarkable in 1917.

Charles Barton Keen's signature use of white stucco and green Ludowici roof tiles, makes his craftsman  style easy to spot throughout North Carolina. The craftsman bungalow aesthetic is marked by: emphasis on natural materials, numerous windows and doors to exterior porches or verandas,  a substantial roof overhang supported by columns.

Additionally, open floor plans with the front entry opening directly into the living room, inglenooks and large fireplaces created a toned down, yet grand country house. The open floor plan with natural air  circulation reflects the era's preoccupation with health. Like Biltmore, and many of the other estates in the American Country House Movement, Reynolda was designed to be self sufficient. Kate Reynolds was extremely detail oriented and handled every aspect of this complicated agrarian, social and personal project. John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia provided the furnishings.

The farm has been converted into "Reynolda Village" and is full of shops, restaurants studios and open space.

All Through the House is my friends' fabulous shop. Agnes has superb taste and it is full of her eclectic treasures. If you are in Winston-Salem during market--stop in.

A partial aerial view of the estate shows the farm and gardens at the bottom. The main house is at two o'clock. The wilderness above the lake is the current location of Wake Forest University. Noted architect and graduate of Harvard's first landscape architecture class, Thomas Sears (1880-1966), was recommended by Keen to do the gardens.  Vigilance on the part of the Reynolds family has kept the gardens and greenhouses intact. I wander through the estate regularly, and the beauty keeps me sane. I'm sending you a slide show. I photograph it all year. Kate Reynolds dream and the family's preservation and persistence has brought visitors and students many a pastoral pause in our hectic lives.

Espaliered apple trees define the perimeters of vegetables and flowers, and is very much like Jefferson's Monticello.  

Nancy and Mary Reynolds' playhouse at the end of the garden has a roof pitched and curved to resemble thatch. It's a scene straight out of Beatrix Potter.

Wake Forest University does a meticulous job of landscaping and maintaining the estate and village.  J. McLaughlin, in the background is a fabulous clothing line that is a go-to spot for smart-casual attire. Blogger friend, Patricia van Essche, of PVE has painted many of the J. McLaughlin shops. I contacted her when I started blogging, and she was very generous with ideas and tips. We love her loose energetic style. Jay likes to place his stores in historic districts and charming pedestrian villages. Here is our local store and a fun Montage Patricia did of the J. McLauglin shops.

The grand Lord and Burnham conservatory greets us at the entrance and is filled with lush tropical plants that would have been highly prized in an era when it was difficult to transport specimens from exotic lands. Below is the garden side view.

When you come to High Point, consider staying in Winston-Salem, which is only 30 minutes away from the IHFC, and visiting our charming historic Reynolda corridor. You can stay across the street at the fabulous Graylyn Estate. That's another post. It is the second largest house in North Carolina, after Biltmore.

Built by RJR CEO, Bowman Gray and his wife Natalie Lyons Gray, Graylyn is also now owned by Wake Forest University.  I can tell you, it is the most spectacular campus in the world. Below, we have the Graylyn gardens from the back of the property.

 I can recommend a few good books on the Reynolds family. Because of their great wealth, it is a complex and interesting story.

Kid Carolina

R.J. Reynolds J.R. 

A Tobacco Fortune and the Mysterious Death of a Southern Icon

by: Heidi Schnakenberg

A World of Her Own Making

Katherine Smith Reynolds and the Landscape of Reynolda

by: Catherine Howett

Winston-Salem were still smokin! 

If you are searching for furniture don't forget our online store.

 Please call if you are looking for an item that is not 

on the website, with over 900 items online, we still have access to other wonderful pieces.

336-705-1316