Reynolds Homestead: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Historic house in Virginia, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Reynolds Homestead

| nrhp_type = nhl

| designated_other1 = Virginia Landmarks Register

| designated_other1_date = November 3, 1970<ref name=register>{{cite web|title=Virginia Landmarks Register|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm|publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources|access-date=5 June 2013}}</ref>

| designated_other1_number = 070-0005

| designated_other1_num_position = bottom

| image = Reynolds Homestead historic marker Patrick County Virginia.JPG

| caption = Historic marker for Reynolds Homestead

| location = N of [[Critz, VA|Critz]] on SR 798

| coordinates = {{coord|36|38|39|N|80|8|55|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Virginia#USA

| area = {{convert|6.99|acre|ha}}<ref name="nrhpinv2"/>

| built = 1850

| architect = Reynolds, Hardin W.

| architecture = Greek Revival

| designated_nrhp_type = December 22, 1977<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1166&ResourceType=Building

|title=Reynolds Homestead |access-date=2008-04-21|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

| added = September 22, 1971<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>

| refnum = 71000987

The '''Reynolds Homestead''', also known as '''Rock Spring Plantation''', is a slave plantation turned historical site on Homestead Lane in [[Critz, Virginia]]. First developed in 1814 by slaveowner Abram Reynolds, it was the primary home of [[R. J. Reynolds]] (1850–1918), founder of the [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company]], and the first major marketer of the [[cigarette]]. Upon liberation of the plantation in 1863, 88 people were freed from captivity and enslavement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kitty Reynolds · Southwest Virginia Digital Archive|url=https://di.lib.vt.edu/items/show/2857#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&xywh=5,-103,249,448|access-date=2021-11-01|website=di.lib.vt.edu}}</ref> It was later designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1977.<ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Citation|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Reynolds Homestead / Rock Spring Plantation|url={{NHLS url|id=71000987}} |format=pdf|date=December 1976 |author=Ralph J. Christian |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NHLS url|id=71000987|title=''Accompanying four photos, exterior and interior, from 1976''|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(32&nbsp;KB)}}</ref><ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv_va">{{Citation|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Reynolds Homestead / Rock Spring Plantation|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Patrick/070-0005_Reynolds_Homestead_1971_Final_Nomination.pdf |date=October 21, 1970 |author=Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff, James W. Moody, Jr., Director |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> The homestead is currently an outreach facility of [[Virginia Tech]], serving as a regional cultural center. The house is open for tours.

==Description and history==

The Reynolds Homestead is located in a rural area of eastern [[Patrick County, Virginia]], about one mile north of the village of Critz. The estate house is a two-story brick building with a hip roof, from which an older two-story ell extends. Outbuildings of the plantation complex include a large [[corn crib]], a brick kitchen, milkhouse, and icehouse. The Reynolds family cemetery is located near the house and across a field is the slave cemetery. The house has been restored to its nineteenth century state and includes many of the original family furnishings.<ref name="nrhpinv2"/>

The property was first developed by Abram Reynolds, who built a log cabin near where the main house stands. His son, Hardin W. Reynolds, developed the estate in the mid-19th century, and it here that his son, [[R. J. Reynolds]] was born and lived for the first 24 years of his life. Reynolds achieved early economic success selling [[plug tobacco]], but made an instant success out of the introduction of the [[Camel (cigarette)|Camel]] cigarette brand, which he marketed and advertised widely.<ref name="nrhpinv2"/>

Reynolds moved out of the family homestead in 1874. It remained within the family, but in declining condition, into the mid-20th century. In 1968, Nancy Susan Reynolds, R.J.'s only surviving child, purchased over {{convert|700|acre|ha}} of the original plantation, most of which she gave to Virginia Tech, retaining life interest in the homestead, which was carefully restored.<ref name="nrhpinv2"/> The property is now managed by Virginia Tech, and includes a continuing education center managed by its Department of Outreach and International Affairs. It hosts educational and cultural events, and the house is open for tours for both individuals and groups.

==See also==

* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Patrick County, Virginia]]

* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in Virginia]]

{{commons category|Reynolds Homestead}}

* [http://www.reynoldshomestead.vt.edu/ Reynolds Homestead official site]

* [http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Patrick/ReynoldsHomestead_photo.htm Reynolds Homestead, Patrick County]

{{National Register of Historic Places in Virginia}}

{{Virginia Tech}}

[[Category:Virginia Tech]]

[[Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia]]

[[Category:Museums in Patrick County, Virginia]]

[[Category:Historic house museums in Virginia]]

[[Category:Houses completedin1850]]

[[Category:Biographical museums in Virginia|Reynolds, RJ]]

[[Category:Greek Revival houses in Virginia]]

[[Category:Reynolds family residences]]

[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Patrick County, Virginia]]

[[Category:Houses in Patrick County, Virginia]]

[[Category:Plantations in Virginia]]

[[Category:African-American cemeteries in Virginia]]