Chinqua-Penn Plantation
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Chinqua Penn Plantation is a mixed English countryside-style mansion near Reidsville, Rockingham County, North Carolina, (about 25 miles north of Greensboro, NC) built by Thomas Jefferson Penn (1875-1946) and Margaret Beatrice Shoellkopf Penn ("Betsy", 1881-1965) in the 1920's. The house and related buildings, and ultimately the internal furnishings, were given into the trusteeship of the University of North Carolina System and were alternately open and closed to the public at various times until August 2006, when the estate was acquired by Calvin Phelps, the founder of Renegade Tobacco Company. The Phelps family maintains a small residence on the property, but operates the mansion and gardens as a museum. Most of the furnishings and art, showcasing 30 countries, were placed by the Penn's. Chinqua Penn Plantation ranks high among North Carolina's finest well-preserved early 20th century homes, including Biltmore House, Chetola, Reynolda House, and Duke Mansion.
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[edit] History
[edit] Tourist attraction
The house is open for tours, though some areas, such as the kitchen, may not yet be open the the public. The Phelps family is restoring the grounds and pool and have added some of their own furnishings to enhance the authenticity of the tour by showcasing the splendor that was evident during the Penn's residency.
The Penn's went on several world tours and amassed an extensive collection of priceless art, crafts, artifacts, and architectural pieces. Among those on display are a replica of King Tut's chair (one of only two such replicas), and a full-size Chinese pagoda. Elements of Spanish architecture and Don Quixote-related art works are plentiful.
Farm land adjoing the property is still operated as an experimental agricultural station by North Carolina State University.
[edit] Trivia
The name "Chinqua Penn" is word play, based on the chinquapin (i.e., chestnut) tree that was once plentiful in the area.
Chinqua-Penn is a 20th century mansion and large farming estate, hence the name "plantation." It is not a plantation in the sense of an antebellum farm, as slavery had ceased in the U.S. long before either Jeff or Betsy Penn was born.
Jeff Penn made his fortune in tobacco and dairy cattle. The Penn Tobacco Company was later purchased American Tobacco Company, makers of Lucky Strike cigarettes.
Betsy's father was Chairman of the board of directors of Niagara Falls Power Company and mayor of Niagara Falls, New York. Betsy Penn survived Jeff by nearly forty years, during which time she became increasingly involved in philanthropic and community activities. She created the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center on part of the estate.
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[edit] External links
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