Brown Family Conservatory & Reynolda Welcome Center Grand Opening

Reynolda’s original 1913 Lord & Burnham Greenhouse, the first structure completed on R.J. and Katharine Reynolds’s country estate, has undergone an extensive restoration and will reopen as the Brown Family Conservatory on October 8, 2024. In conjunction with this grand reopening, the new Reynolda Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Conservatory, will also open to the public.

The Conservatory, designed as the public entrance to four acres of formal gardens, features a striking central domed roof and stands as one of the most iconic architectural elements at Reynolda. It is one of the few early 20th-century Lord & Burnham greenhouses built for a private estate that still exists today. Thanks to a generous gift from Malcolm and Patricia Brown, the restoration — begun in November 2023 — has returned this architectural gem to its former glory, now with modern control systems for enhanced functionality and energy efficiency.

Visitors can look forward to special seasonal displays and curated exhibitions of unique plant species. Themed areas inside the Conservatory will include an Orangery, a tour of Mediterranean flora from around the world, an orchid room, and more.

The new Reynolda Welcome Center will serve as an introduction to all aspects of the historic estate, including Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village. The 680-square-foot Welcome Center, historically the Florist’s Workroom, will offer visitors the opportunity to purchase plants and Reynolda-branded items.

The Welcome Center and Conservatory restoration have been made possible through support from the State of North Carolina, the estate of Everdina B. Nieuwenhuis, Wake Forest University, and contributions from the Reynolda Gardens fundraiser held in November 2023.

Join us on October 8 to celebrate this exciting new chapter in Reynolda’s history!