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 ("Jeff", 1875-1946) and Margaret Beatrice Shoellkopf Penn ("Betsy", 1881-1965) in the 1920s.
The name "Chinqua Penn" was is derived from the word chinquapin, which means chestnut, a tree that was once plentiful in the area. Although it is referred to as a "plantation", the name does not have the overtones created by slavery, as slavery in America has been abolished before either Jeff or Betsy Penn was born. Rather it refers to the property's century mansion and large farming estate. (The Penn family's earlier home was at Penns Store, Patrick County, Virginia.)
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
After inheriting the reins of the Penn family tobacco interests, which the Penns had relocated from Virginia to North Carolina, '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. The coats-of-arms above the door of Chinqua-Penn show the Penn family crest, as well as that of the Spencer family of Virginia.[1] Spencer Penn was the only son of Jeff and Betsy Penn and he died as an infant.
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 twenty 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.
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 Penns.
[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 Penns' residency.
The Penns 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] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Records of the Penn and Spencer families
- Thomas Jefferson Penn and the Schoellkopf family
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