"Reynolda House" Archive

Reynolda House receives Robert James Award for Preservation Excellence

Reynolda House has received the North Carolina Preservation Consortium’s (NCPC) annual Robert James Award for Preservation Excellence for its work to replace its 104-year-old roof.

The award was presented to Reynolda on Nov. 5 by the NCPC and is given to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and other organizations in North Carolina with a mission to preserve tangible heritage of enduring value.

Reynolda House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to a nationally renowned collection of American art on view in the restored interiors of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds’s 34,000-square-foot 1917 bungalow.

In 2018, Reynolda House was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Infrastructure Challenge grant for the rehabilitation of its historic Ludowici tile roof. Construction began in July 2021—after a 12-month delay due to COVID—and was completed earlier this month. The Museum remained open throughout the project.

Read more on the Reynolda House website here.

Categories: Inside WFU

Reynolda House's store offering discounts to Wake Forest faculty, staff

Reynolda House’s gift store will be offering 18 percent discounts on De. 6 and 10 to Wake Forest faculty and staff.

The museum store will be open Dec. 6 until 8 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Dec. 10.  The museum opens at 9:30 a.m. on those days.

Information about Reynolda House is available here.

Categories: Inside WFU

Reynolda Village, House, Gardens hires associate director of marketing

The following is a guest post from Reynolda Village, House and Gardens:

Tonsic

Jodi Tonsic

As part of Reynolda’s return toward a unified brand, leadership within Reynolda and at Wake Forest have named Jodi Tonsic Reynolda associate director of marketing, a new position created to elevate Reynolda’s status as both a local treasure and tourist destination. Tonsic will be responsible for bringing together all three of the estate’s historic components – the museum, the gardens and the village – into a unified visitor experience.

Tonsic will develop marketing plans for the unique shops and restaurants in Reynolda Village, harmonize social media messaging, identify opportunities for integrated experiences and promotions across the entire estate, and become an important liaison between the museum, gardens, and village staff. Tonsic joins Reynolda from the Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, where she served as president for the past 16 years. In Wilkesboro, she worked closely with merchants, restaurateurs and attractions to market the destination. She has also been instrumental in promotional campaigns in partnership with MerleFest, the legendary music festival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each spring. She starts in the new role at Reynolda June 3.

“Reynolda is magical,” Tonsic says. “This is where I’ve always gone when I need to de-stress, when I need to escape from the daily grind. Now, to be able to be a part of creating the magic for others is an incredible opportunity.”

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Jon Roethling named new director of Reynolda Gardens

Jon Roethling

This is a guest post from Reynolda House and Reynolda Gardens:

Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University has hired Jon Roethling as its new director. Roethling steps into the leadership role of the renowned historic gardens and landscape of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds’s former estate after serving as curator of grounds for the Mariana Qubein Botanical Gardens at High Point University. He will begin as director of Reynolda Gardens Dec. 3.

“Jon has the critical combination of experience and aspiration to position Reynolda Gardens for the future,” said Allison Perkins, Wake Forest associate provost for Reynolda House & Reynolda Gardens, who led the search committee for the new director. “His understanding and respect for our history paired with his passion for making the beauty of our landscape accessible to all will be a boon to all of Wake Forest, Reynolda and our visitors.”

Roethling has an extensive background in public horticulture and landscaping spanning nearly 30 years. At High Point University, he guided the establishment of several important plant collections, developed new garden spaces and led the renovation of nearly all existing campus gardens. Prior to his position there, Roethling was a research technician and horticulture assistant for several years at the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University, his alma mater. He credits his time there as central to igniting his passion for public horticulture, and for establishing his extensive network of professional relationships in the field.

At Reynolda, Roethling will join the senior leadership team under Perkins’s direction, and manage a team of five professional staff members and a dedicated volunteer group who care for 129 acres that include formal gardens, a conservatory, wooded walking trails, vast lawns and wetlands. Originally designed by Thomas Sears utilizing a site plan by Louis L. Miller and Horatio R. Buckenham, the gardens and landscape are used for recreation and respite by thousands of visitors each year and serve as a place of academic research and exploration for university students.

Read more

Categories: Inside WFU

University assessing conditions caused by storm; operations normal

This announcement was emailed to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 11 through the Wake Alert system:

The University’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) and other University officials have stayed alert throughout the day to the storm that passed through the area and continue to monitor the effects on campus and at University facilities, including Wake Downtown and the Charlotte Center.

At present, the University is operating normally. The CMT and others will continue throughout tonight and Friday to survey University facilities and respond to storm-related issues as needed.

Off-campus there are a number of problems caused by the storm, including power outages in Winston-Salem and other nearby areas, flooded roads, and downed trees. Affected areas include neighborhoods adjacent to the campus. Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to stay alert to any hazards they may encounter.

Officials are working now to assess which University-owned houses around the perimeter of campus may be without power.

On campus, the Porter Byrum Welcome Center and nearby Starling Hall are currently without electricity, and it is not known when power will be restored.

On campus, a tree came down and blocked Allen Easley Street for a short time this afternoon before it was removed. Trees also have been reported down at other University locations, such as Graylyn Conference Center, Reynolda House and the adjacent Reynolda Village. The University has contractors on hand to respond to downed trees.

Minor water leaks have been reported in some campus buildings, including residence halls.  Facilities and Campus Services staff are responding to all reports of leaks or any kind of water intrusion.

Flash flooding occurred at various locations on campus today, particularly in some parking lots.  University officials are attempting to determine if any vehicles experienced damage from flash flooding. Such flooding has been receding late today. All on campus are cautioned to stay alert to any flooded streets, parking lots, sidewalks and other areas they may encounter on or off campus. They are also encouraged to stay alert during drives off campus in the days ahead.

University officials urge that no one walk or drive through standing water. In addition, all are encouraged to stay alert to any potentially downed power lines they may see.

If anyone sees a hazardous condition on campus, please report it to University Police at 336-758-5911.

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