REYNOLDA ESTATE

The Reynolda Estate is the story of a former private property including the family home of the famous tobacco magnate R. J. Reynolds, a huge building with more than 40 rooms, gardens and the village. In its golden age, the property operated almost independently with its own farms, church, post office and transport network. After Reynolds' death, it was his wife Katharine who continued to run the estate with an iron fist, managing both the house and the village and the property's agricultural production. Later, it was her daughter who took over the house, to which she made many additions, including the installation of a basement dedicated to entertainment with bowling, squash room, billiards, skate rink, an incredible indoor swimming pool and, among other things, a private bar where you can easily imagine the wildest evenings. Over the past 50 years, the Reynolds residence has become a museum, where you can visit the main parts and the basement with its swimming pool and entertainment rooms, all punctuated by many works of art from the family's collection, works by renowned American artists such as Albert Bierstadt, Mary Cassatt, William Merritt Chase, Martin Johnson Heade... The site also includes a large park that offers hiking trails, gardens with a greenhouse, vegetable garden and various plantations and the village has been converted into a small outdoor shopping centre with restaurants, bars and other shops. Don't miss the short video at the entrance of the museum that traces the history of the Reynolds family and estate before starting your visit and exploring the property.