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1932
The Graylyn Estate
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1900 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106
Original Property Opened in 1932
Historic Hotels of America member since 2016
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presidential
tours
gardens
In 1925, Bowman Gray, president of tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, Inc., and wife Nathalie Lyons Gray purchased 87 acres of rolling pasture land to begin building their dream home. Employing the finest artisans and craftsmen, Graylyn emerged as the second-largest home in North Carolina, with nearly 85 rooms and 46,000 square feet of living space. Today, the Graylyn Estate is owned and operated by Wake Forest University and is Winston-Salem’s only luxury boutique hotel in Winston-Salem. A unique blend of Old World charm and personalized service with innovative technology, the estate’s opulent interiors, and 55 acres of lush grounds create a memorable experience for guests. Traditions were important to the Gray family and are still celebrated at the Graylyn Estate today, with Mrs. Gray's butterscotch cookies in the afternoon in honor of their dogs, Butter and Scotch, as well as complimentary ice cream, Mr. Gray's favorite treat.
Discover
- Admire The Graylyn Estate's rare Louis XV paneling and unique 15th-century French-carved doorway and custom ironwork, imported from France and still present on the estate today. The Graylyn Estate was built in the 1920s by Bowman Gray, Sr., a captain of industry and president and chairman of the board for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
- Explore the premier location of The Graylyn Estate. Sitting on 55 acres of pristine land and encompassing five freestanding buildings, The Graylyn Estate greets guests as "Lady or Lord of the Manor," and the private butler service recreates the life of a great tobacco baron. Gifted in 1946 to Wake Forest University, The Graylyn Estate hosts university programs, weddings, corporate meetings, and community service events.
- Appreciate the countless treasures collected by Bowman and Nathalie Gray during their global travels, including hand-painted tiles from France, stunning Egyptian tapestries, and an impressive set of wood panels from Damascus. Intricately carved, these breathtaking decorative pieces are thought to be the oldest in the world.
Explore
- Discover the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, an Avant-garde artwork and multimedia exhibition located within another historic estate neighboring The Graylyn Estate.
- Wander through the Downtown North Historic District. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, this amazing neighborhood is filled with a variety of historic structures that display Beaux Arts-style architecture.
- Explore the Old Salem Musuems & Gardens nearby. This amazing historic destination is a restored 18th-century town center.
- Visit the Historic Bethabara Park, a historical site and wildlife preserve showcasing the reconstructed remains of a 1753 Moravian village and church.
- Discover the Historic Reynolda District right across the street from Graylyn. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art was once the house of RJ Reynolds and his wife, Katherine Smith Reynolds, and now houses a renowned American Art collection and featured exhibitions. Reynolda Gardens is a 134-acre center for community recreation and exploration. Previously a farm community, Reynolda Village now houses stores, restaurants, and offices in what were once cattle sheds and blacksmith shops.
Experience
- Take in a special exhibition at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, a historic mansion housing art from the 18th century through the present.
- Examine the new acquisitions and other remnants from past and present peoples at the neighboring Timothy S.Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology. Established in 1963, it is the only museum in North Carolina devoted entirely to spreading awareness about global cultures.
- Stroll through The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), which displays a wealth of authentic American furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Taste
- Nibble on freshly baked butterscotch sugar cookies in the foyer each afternoon. An edible homage to the Gray family's beloved Scottish Terriers, Butter and Scotch, these decadent bites are made from Mrs. Nathalie Gray's original recipe.
- Unwind with bottomless helpings of dreamy ice cream. Another Graylyn Estate tradition, this complimentary sweet treat was Mr. Gray's favorite snack.
- Start the day in true North Carolina fashion with a Manor House breakfast expertly made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Indulge in elegant seasonal dishes with fine dining flair, such as filet mignon with bone marrow butter or roasted rack of lamb drizzled with a blueberry gastrique, during lunch or dinner in the Gray's beautiful dining room.
- Tuck into a light, laidback meal or sip on a cocktail next to the cozy fireplace in the Graylyn Grille Room, which offers a casual dining experience with a full bar.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
