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2011 Holiday Tours Nov 25 - Jan 1

REIDSVILLE, N.C. - Thomas and Beatrice Penn built their estate, called Chinqua Penn Plantation, in the 1920s with the idea of grandly entertaining friends, family and business associates. The current owners of the Rockingham County estate will continue the tradition this holiday season by hosting the annual Holiday and Candlelight Tours from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1.

At least 13 theme-decorated Christmas trees will be scattered throughout the 27-room mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Included will be a 14-foot live North Carolina Fraser fir in the massive living room of the house.

Lisa Phelps oversees the decorations each year. She and her husband, Calvin, bought Chinqua Penn from the state in 2006. Beatrice Penn bequeathed the estate to the 16-campus University of North Carolina system in 1959.

Holiday Tour hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Special candlelight tours will be offered on Saturdays, November 27 and December 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be live music in the mansion on these evenings.  Saturday, December 3rd will feature the Girl Scouts of Rockingham County luminaries and can food drive.

Chinqua Penn will be closed Christmas day.
Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, the military and students, and $10 for youth (6 - 16). 

Chinqua Penn is at 2138 Wentworth Street, Reidsville, about 25 miles north of Greensboro. Open year-round, it contains a wealth of period art and furnishings from more than 30 countries, collected by the world-travelling Penns.

For more information about the holiday tour, call 336-349-4576.

 


 

Happy Trails Saddle Exhibit - 2011

When: September through November 20th

Many of you have heard of the wonderful walking trails around Chinqua-Penn but did you know that there are also many horse trails? Jeff and Betsy Penn were avid equestrians who enjoyed horseback rides over their 1100 + acres. As you walk the grounds you will see millstones used as steps for mounting and posts for tethering horses. You will also see an old iron wash tub that was used for watering.  Mr. Penn rode a Tennessee Walker known as "Black Betsy" replaced after many years of service by a bay horse known as "Old Charlie", that may have been a Morgan. This was Mr. Penn's mount to the end of his life. Mrs. Penn's horse was named "Mary Lou" also a Tennessee Walker. Betsy was still riding Mary Lou when the horse was 35 and she was 78.  After Mary Lou there was another Walker named "Gold Dust" who was not at all compatible with other horses and was know as a "kicker". Betsy felt that due to her age and the fact that Gold Dust would not allow another horse to get near her ended her riding days.

From September through November 20th, 2011 Chinqua-Penn will display saddles used by the Penn's and staff.

A Kentucky style saddle-it is apparent the Jeff Penn found this a comfortable piece of furniture. This was used on "Black Betsy" and later on "Old Charlie".
A "Park Saddle" often used by ladies in the last century and early twentieth century. It carries the tag of a long extinct saddler retail shop in New York City.  Betsy used this saddle on "Mary Lou" and then "Gold Dust".

A "Western Style Saddle" that was purchased for the use of the newly hired "Cowboy" Don Kipp who was from the West. Cowboy Kipp was accompanied east by an Arabian stallion.
The horse drawn Surry still here on the farm was pulled by "Mary Lou" sporting an elegant Arabian breast collar and a Chinese harness. This was used by Betsy and visiting children for fun rides around the farm.

Saddles have a rich history and tradition and no saddles can tell those stories better than antique saddles. With each of these saddles you can easily imagine the miles they've gone, the places they've been, and the work they've done. See if you can't imagine being along for the ride with some of these beauties.

All of this and much more will be on display September through November 20th, 2011 .


 

Dad's Tour Free Father's Day Weekend 2011

Dads tour free with a paying adult
Friday, June 17 - Sunday, June 19.

Looking for something special to do with dear old Dad or Grandda this Father's Day weekend?  Let us help you treat him to a special day out at Chinqua Penn Plantation.  Whether your father likes antiques, travel, wine or gardens, he's sure to see something memorable at Chinqua Penn.  In addition the African and Egyptian special exhibits will be on special display.  And best of all he'll get to do with you.


 

March - Women's History Month

Women's History Month

During the month of March, we will present, as a special feature during the house tour, a special focus on Betsy Penn and her mother Jessie Gluck. Touching on aspects of the suffrage movement and Betsy's civic life and public service.

House tours are:

Wednesday - Saturday 10 - 5pm (Last tour begins at 4pm)

Sunday 1 - 5pm (Last Tour begins at 4pm)

 

What's On Display in November

Currently on display, Mrs. Penn's original kitchenware, including a large collection of steam pudding, gelatin and dessert molds, 1920's commercial type Kitchen Aid mixer and other original implements used by Mrs.Penn and her staff.  Also, now through Thanksgiving the Mud Room is set for a Thanksgiving gathering and the Board figures back standing guard.

 
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