THE PENN HOUSE
THE PENN HOUSE
On the National Register of Historic Places, the Penn House is a magnificent 12,500-square-foot home located on three beautifully landscaped acres. The original home was built by Charles and Stella Penn around 1908. The home burned in 1931 and was rebuilt in 1932 in the Colonial Revival Style.
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Donated to the City of Reidsville in 1980, the home is open to the community and public for special events, weddings, business meetings and other functions. Furnished in antiques, the home offers an ambiance not found in most meeting facilities. Each room has unique character.
LOCATION
324 Maple Ave.
Reidsville, NC 27320
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CONTACT
336-349-1099
Emerald Stone
WEDDINGS AND EVENTS
Located in beautiful Historic Downtown Reidsville, NC, the Penn House offers southern charm and elegance everyone can afford. Whether it's your wedding, a birthday party, anniversary, business meeting or any special occasion. We have something to for you! It's no wonder we are a 2016 Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award Winner!
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Weddings:
The Penn House is one of the Triad's most established and finest venues at a very affordable rate.
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Owned and operated by the City of Reidsville, your rental includes 150 chairs for the wedding and tables for the reception.
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Linens are available at an additional cost.
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The bride and groom both have special rooms to get dressed for this momentous occasion.
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We have a list of preferred caterers, but you can bring in your own if you place an additional deposit.
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The grounds are fully landscaped and the home is beautifully decorated, saving you time and money!
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Weddings with 150 or less guests have an indoor backup in the event of rain.
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Our staff strives to make your special day all it can be. We do not book two weddings in one day, so you do not have to rush.
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When you book the entire facility, you have use of indoor and outdoor. Your time slot is based on an 8-hour increment.
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There is no extra charge for the rehearsal the night before. For an additional charge you can have your rehearsal dinner in the "greenhouse", which is a lovely room overlooking the grounds. The facility opens at 3 PM-7:30 pm on Friday so you can get your setup completed.
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Fully landscaped, the grounds offer a storybook setting.
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Please view the slide show for many more pictures of this gorgeous venue!
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Meeting Spaces
Meeting rooms and dining spaces used for small luncheons & board meetings. Most have WiFi.
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The American Room, seat up to 24 people
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The Marble Room, is a formal dining room that seats 10, offering a more intimate setting.
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The Gazebo Room, aptly named for its view of the Gazebo Area, is the perfect place to hold a private dinner, bridal luncheon, card games or a Tea Party.
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The Bee Penn Room, is named for the benefactor who donated the house to the City of Reidsville. The room is ideal for cocktail parties and informal gatherings and showcases a Baby Grand piano.
HISTORY
Charles Penn (1868-1931) was an important figure in Reidsville's tobacco industry and is largely responsible for developing the popular "Lucky Strikes" brand of cigarettes for American Tobacco. Charles came to Reidsville when he was very young with his parents Frank Reid Penn and Annie Spencer Penn. He worked his entire life in the tobacco industry and rose through the ranks at American Tobacco Company to one of the highest and most commanding stations. The ultra-violet rays and toasting process of the famous Lucky Strike Cigarettes were his formulas. Charles was the Vice President of American Tobacco, which was the leading employer in Rockingham County.
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The current home is an excellent example of Colonial Revival design. It is the largest and most elaborate Colonial Revival residence from the 1920-1940 period still standing in Reidsville. Danville, Va. architect Bryant Hurd designed the home, which features an impressive Corinthian portico and handsome interior woodwork with freely interpreted Neo-Federal details.
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Charles was married Stella Edrington, who was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1883. Stella's father, Henry, was the founder of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Fort Worth, (later the First National Bank of Fort Worth.) Stella met Charles through his sister Anita Penn.
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The Penns were very big in philanthropic contributions to Reidsville and Rockingham County. Some notable contributions are the Ashby Penn Foundation Cancer Fund to provide care for indigent patients, being instrumental in the creation of the Reidsville Junior League, which gave heavily to local churches, and was largely responsible for the establishment of Reidsville's first library. Charles was a major contributor to Annie Penn Memorial Hospital, which was named after his mother.
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Many people wonder about the relationship of Chinqua Penn and the Penn House. Jeffery Penn of Chinqua Penn and Charles were brothers. There were 11 children in the Penn family with Charles being the oldest and Jeffery the next to the oldest. Chinqua Penn is privately owned and the Penn House is owned and operated by the City of Reidsville. Each property is operated separately.