Preserving the Past: Estate Greenhouse at the Reynolda House

Nestled in the heart of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Reynolda House stands as a testament to the beauty and charm of historic architecture. It’s a place where history and horticulture converge, exemplified by the enduring presence of their own Lord and Burnham Greenhouse. This iconic structure symbolizes the values of preservation, history, and art, which are core principles of Tanglewood and when we were asked to speak at their upcoming fundraising event to continue to educate and advocate for these precious historic figures, we were honored to!

The Reynolda House: A Legacy of the Past

Constructed in 1912 by Philadelphia architect Charles Barton Keen, the Reynolda House was originally the residence of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. As plans were further developed for the garden by Horatio R. Buckenham and Louis Miller, in 1913 the team brought on Lord & Burnham Co, the premier conservatory makers at the time, to design and construct a beautiful greenhouse to complete the gardens. Today, it is a museum that preserves and celebrates America’s rich cultural heritage. The Reynolda House embodies the values of historic preservation, as it stands as an enduring symbol of the American Arts and Crafts movement.

Photo Courtesy of The Reynolda House & Gardens

Lord & Burnham Greenhouses are significant in the history of horticulture and architecture due to their innovative design and impact on the development of commercial and residential greenhouses. Established in the 19th century, Lord & Burnham became a leading name in greenhouse manufacturing, introducing cutting-edge technology and aesthetic elements that merged functionality and beauty. Their designs allowed for controlled environments, facilitating year-round plant growth and research, and played a crucial role in advancing botanical science, ornamental gardening, and commercial agriculture. Today, the legacy of Lord & Burnham continues to influence modern greenhouse design and sustainable agriculture practices.

As history often goes, the Lord and Burnham Greenhouse at Reynolda faced the threat of neglect and decay. However, thanks to the collective efforts of passionate organizations and donors, this remarkable structure has been restored to its former glory.

Tanglewood Talks About Preserving Beautiful Estate Greenhouses

When Alan and Nancy, the passionate minds behind Tanglewood, were presented with the opportunity to speak at the Reynolda House about the importance of these beautiful structures, they were honored. Beyond crafting beautiful estate greenhouses and conservatories at Tanglewood, their love for beautiful glass architecture stems back much further. They enjoy sharing their expertise in historic conservatory architecture with others as part of their commitment to the preservation of these architectural legends whom they have studied for over 30 years!

This upcoming talk will explore the profound connection between history, architecture, and the enduring beauty of conservatories. Stay tuned for details on this inspiring event and to learn more about the Reynolda House and Gardens, visit their website at reynolda.org!

We also offer this talk as an AIA course for our architectural community!
Contact our office at 410-479-4700 for more details.