Holidays at Reynolda begins Nov. 16
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Oct. 27, 2021) — This holiday season, step back in time with a visit to the Reynolda historic district and explore the tranquil 170-acre setting that comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village. Reynolda, the 1917 country estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds, will be decorated for the season beginning Nov. 16, offering a variety of festive experiences for all ages to enjoy.
Reynolda House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, presents a window into a grand moment of the city’s history, but never more so than during the holidays. Furnishings in the house are nearly 85 percent original, and together with a recreation of holiday decorations—multiple wreaths and ornamented Christmas trees, swags of garlands, hand-stamped Christmas cards and antique decorations all researched from the family archives—visitors will experience the spirit of the Reynoldses’ own 1917 holiday.
Authentic early 20th century glass ornaments—a recent gift from the North Carolina Museum of Art—will adorn the Christmas trees in the historic house beginning Nov. 16. The collection of antique ornaments encompasses nearly 400 figural glass ornaments including Santas, fruits, candies, animals, miniature lamps and tobacco pipes.
Holiday experiences at Reynolda include tours, a holiday stroll, music, shopping days, overnight packages and interactive family activities. Visitors may shop at the Museum store during regular operating hours without a ticket. Tickets and information for all events and holiday packages are available at reynolda.org/holidays.
Holiday Season Highlights
Experience Holiday Decorations at Reynolda House
Beginning Nov. 16
Included with Museum admission; Reynolda House
Visitors are invited to revive their senses with an exploration of the 34,000-square-foot historic house’s holiday decor, featuring antique glass ornaments, wreaths, trees, Christmas cards and antique decorations.
The NCMA ornament collection was a gift of John and Patricia Geikler.
Graylyn Historic Holidays Package
Through Dec. 20
Experience the magic of the season and add an overnight stay at Reynolda’s neighboring historic estate and luxury hotel, Graylyn.
Holiday Plant Sale
Nov. 17- Dec. 17, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and two Saturdays: Nov. 20 and Dec. 4. (while supplies last); Reynolda Gardens
Holiday plants, including cyclamen, poinsettias, paperwhites, amaryllis and Christmas cactus will be available.
More Barn Concerts: Queen Bee and the Honeylovers
Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Costs vary; The Barn at Reynolda Village
This joyful swing band will perform original compositions with a dedicated ‘nod’ to the small-jazz-combo and ‘hot club’ legends who first defined the genre.
Reynolda Read-Aloud
Nov. 19, Nov. 20, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, 10-10:30 a.m.
Free; in-person at Reynolda House
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a free outdoor storytime filled with stories, songs and activities for children ages 2-5.
Holiday Stroll
Nov. 19, 5-8 p.m.
Free; Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants
Visitors are invited to take a stroll through Reynolda Village and enjoy carolers, free carriage rides and beautiful decorations.
The Reynolda Quartet: Farewells and Swansongs
Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 ($20 students); Watson Hall, UNCSA
The North Carolina Symphony’s principal cellist Bonnie Thron will join the Reynolda Quartet (Ida Bieler and Janet Orenstein, violins; Ulrich Eichenauer, viola; and Brooks Whitehouse, cello) for a performance of Schubert’s C major String Quartet.
Wreath Decorating Workshops
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 6 p.m.; Dec. 5, 2 p.m.
Tickets are $50; $40 for Friends of Reynolda Gardens and WFU faculty, staff and students; The Barn at Reynolda Village
Participants will receive an expert-guided lesson in wreath-making along with a large wreath and natural decorative items.
Deck the Halls Museum Members’ Event
Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m.
Free for Museum members; Reynolda House
Museum members and their families are invited to meet Santa, play outdoor holiday games and make Christmas ornaments.
Through the Years: Christmas at Reynolda Tours
Dec. 5, 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 12, 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 17, 2 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25; $20 Museum members and WFU faculty, staff and students; Reynolda House
This specialized tour of the historic house will utilize multimedia to focus on the holiday traditions of the Reynolds and Babcock families, as well as the individuals who lived and worked on the estate.
Family First: Holiday Card and Gift Tag Workshop
Dec. 5, 2 p.m.
$30; $24 Museum members; Reynolda House
Children in grades 1-6 and an adult are invited to explore evergreen printmaking and make stamped and collaged holiday cards and tags.
Caroling Fridays
Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, 3 p.m.
Included with Museum admission; Reynolda House Auditorium
The festive holiday caroling tradition will continue with a pianist in the auditorium this year while the historic house roof is replaced.
Hours and Admission
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, located at 2250 Reynolda Rd., is open to visitors Tuesday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is charged. Museum members, children 18 and under, students, active or retired military personnel with ID, first responders and employees of Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center with valid ID receive FREE admission to the Museum. Passes to Reynolda House in English and Spanish are also available to check out from every branch of the Forsyth County Public Library free of charge.
Reynolda Gardens is open from dawn to dusk daily free of charge. The Greenhouse is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reynolda Village merchant hours vary. No ticket is needed to shop at the Reynolda House Museum store. Explore reynolda.org for more information.
About Reynolda
Reynolda is set on 170 acres in Winston-Salem, N.C. and comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants. The Museum presents a renowned art collection in a historic and incomparable setting: the original 1917 interiors of Katharine and R. J. Reynolds’s 34,000-square-foot home. Its collection is a chronology of American art and featured exhibitions are offered in the Museum’s Babcock Gallery and house bedrooms. The Gardens serve as a 134-acre outdoor horticultural oasis open to the public year-round, complete with colorful formal gardens, nature trails and a greenhouse. In the Village, the estate’s historic buildings are now home to a vibrant mix of boutiques, restaurants, shops and services. Plan your visit at reynolda.org and use the mobile app Reynolda Revealed to self-tour the estate. Reynolda is part of Wake Forest University.
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Media Contact:
Kaci Baez
kaci@reynolda.org