NC Region Spring Meet

May 23rd, 2009

Chinqua Penn Plantation

by Yanida Campa & Randy Stone Randy Stone and his 1936 Ford Phaeton on the 2008

Sentimental Tour.

The North Carolina Region is excited to hold our Spring Region Meet, on May 23, at the fabulous

Chinqua Penn Plantation in Reidsville NC. Hosted by the Three Rivers Chapter and Chinqua Penn Plantation, you are cordially invited to enter your AACA eligible vehicles to compete for the coveted “Red Bird” award. Chinqua Penn is nestled in the heart of North Carolina on 22 acres of beautiful gardens and historic landscape. Featured on A&E’s America’s Castles and acclaimed as an architectural American treasure, Chinqua Penn Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Plantation includes a 27 room English country mansion filled with elaborate furnishings from more than 30 countries, showcasing the state’s premier collection of eclectic decorative arts.

Located about 25 miles north of Greensboro, the home was built in the 1920s by Thomas Jefferson Penn (1875- 1946) and his wife, Beatrice Schoellkopf Penn (1881-1965). The home reflects their life-style of entertaining, traveling, and collecting art and furniture from around the world. The historic landscape evolved into an exotic horticulture collection, changing with each season. The Penn’s love of the beautiful and artistic was manifested in their use of both native and imported plants at Chinqua Penn. After their deaths, the State of North Carolina became the caretaker of the property and allowed tours for many years. Chinqua Penn was then put on the market and in 2006, after five years of being closed to the public; Mr. Phelps made an offer on the property. After months of paperwork and dealings with the state legislature, ownership of the Plantation was transferred to Calvin Phelps on August 25, 2006. Mr. Phelps is the founder of Renegade Tobacco Company in Mocksville, North Carolina. Since taking ownership, Calvin & Lisa Phelps have dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to the restoration and preservation of Chinqua Penn. They immediately started restoration projects throughout the home and revived the lush gardens that surround the mansion. The grounds are available for outdoor weddings, rehearsal dinners and receptions, and events in each season highlight the beauty of the property year round. Events include the Spring Flower Festival in April, The May; and September Music Series; the Fall festival and the Holiday and Candlelight tours at Christmas, to mention just a few of the special events throughout the year.

Chinqua Penn Koi pond

On May 23, we will see the results of several new projects, including a new wine tasting room and line of wines. The growing of grapes and making of wine have played a large part in Chinqua Penn’s history throughout the years. From the muscadine grape arbor on the property to the adjoining NC State Research Vineyard, grapes have been grown at the Plantation since the early 1900’s. The plantation has not one, but two wine cellars; one in the house and the other in the main entrance area of the plantation. The tradition continues at the Chinqua Penn Wine Tasting Room. The Tasting Room is located adjacent to the gift shop in the main entrance area. Wines made from local grapes are available for tasting and purchase.

Adjacent to the main entrance area and the picturesque clock tower, is the picnic shelter where lunch will be offered. Two local vendors will be offering barbeque, grilled chicken, burgers and hot dogs. Vegetarian options and desserts will also be available.

 

Chinqua Penn main entrance, gift shop, wine tasting room and Clock tower.

Guests at Chinqua Penn are now able to purchase annuals and perennials for planting at home, as well as a variety of hanging baskets at the historic greenhouse. The same greenhouse in which many of the beautiful plants in the mansion and on the property have been grown, will be open for the NC Region meet on May 23.

A tour to the home begins with your entrance through the gift shop and ticket area, once home to the Penn’s gardener and chauffeur. The journey continues up a private road towards the main house, passing the newly expanded koi pond, and the large Chinese Pagoda that once served as a pool house to the large swimming pool that it surrounds.

From this point, you can truly view Chinqua Penn in all its majesty. Surrounded by 22 acres of lush landscape and a beautiful fountain, the entrance of the home is spectacular.

The carved front doors are from Venice, Italy and greet you into the world of Jeff & Betsy Penn. As you enter the parking area for our Meet, you will have the opportunity to have a souvenir picture taken of your car in front of this beautiful home.

Once you step into Chinqua Penn, you are instantly transformed into the world of the Penn’s travels. Treasures from the many years of visiting exotic locations fill this two-story Y-shaped mansion. Guided mansion and garden tours will be available to NC Region members at a reduced cost. You may also pre-purchase tour tickets on the entry form in this edition of the NC Region News. We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity and fill your day with the beauty of Chinqua Penn and the fellowship of friends.

The Meet flyer with entry form and directions are included in this issue of NC Region News. Enter soon as we feel this will be a large and exciting event. Don’t forget to pre-purchase your home tour tickets as we will have a busy day planned and this will save you time during the meet.

We encourage all entrants to the meet to come early. As you can see, there will be plenty to do and see on this exciting day. The grounds will open to show cars at 7:00 am. You will need to be there early as we will take a souvenir picture of your car before we park you in your designated space. Judging will begin promptly at 11:00 am and awards will be distributed at 2:30 pm.