Chinqua Penn Plantation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chinqua-Penn Plantation
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | NC 1998 N side, 0.2 miles W of jct. with NC 1987, near Reidsville, North Carolina |
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| Area | 22.8 acres (9.2 ha) |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Ingalls, Harry C.; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Eclectic |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000235 |
| Added to NRHP | April 8, 1993 |
Chinqua Penn Plantation is a beautiful English-style manor home. It is located near Reidsville, North Carolina, in Rockingham County, North Carolina. This special home was built in the 1920s.
The house was created by Thomas Jefferson Penn and Margaret Beatrice Shoellkopf Penn. People called them "Jeff" and "Betsy." The name "Chinqua Penn" comes from the chinquapin tree. This type of American chestnut used to grow a lot in the area. Chinqua Penn Plantation is known as one of North Carolina's best-kept homes from the early 1900s.
Discovering Chinqua Penn's Story
Who Built Chinqua Penn?
Thomas Jefferson Penn inherited some family tobacco business. He and Betsy moved to North Carolina. Jeff Penn also became very successful by investing in stocks and bonds. He even raised dairy cows and later Black Angus cattle.
Betsy Penn's father, Arthur Schoellkopf, was an important leader. He was the chairman of the Niagara Falls Power Company. Betsy was involved in helping the community. She started the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center. This center was built on part of the estate.
The Penns filled their home with amazing items. They collected furniture and art from over 30 different countries.
Changes Over Time
After Betsy Penn passed away, the house and its contents were given to the University of North Carolina System in 1965. Later, North Carolina State University managed the site. Due to high costs, they eventually closed it for public tours.
In 2006, a new owner bought the estate. He planned to keep it open for visitors. However, the property faced financial challenges. In 2010, federal agents took control of the property. The items inside the house were later sold at an auction in 2012.
In 2013, the property was sold again to a private buyer. Chinqua Penn Plantation is now a private home. It has been closed to the public since 2012. However, some farmland next to the property is still used. North Carolina State University operates it as an experimental farm.
Images for kids
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Thomas Jefferson 'Jeff' Penn (1875–1946)
