In 1925, spouses Nathalie Lyons Gray and Bowman Gray Sr., chairman of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, purchased the 87 acre estate from R. J. Reynolds with the plan of building the home of their dreams.[5] The land had formerly been corn fields and pasture for the Reynolda Estate which is now referred to as the Reynolda Historic District. Korner's Folly is said to be "the strangest house in America." In 1972, Bowman Grays son Gordon purchased the estate from the medical school and donated it to the University. Between 1927 and 1932, he and his wife oversaw the construction of Graylyn, their 87-acre (350,000 m2) estate in the countryside surrounding Winston, across from R.J. Reynolds' estate Reynolda House. margin-top: 10px; border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; posted by Graylyn at 10:12 AM. } Read our DISCLOSURE, Arriving at Graylyn Estate is like stepping back in time to the days when tobacco reigned in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Associated with the house are a number of contributing outbuildings including a garage-guest house and "farm" complex. It wasnt totally empty, but it was deserted and quiet with lights off., Karen Beasley Raliski (80) greets James Bryan May in her room at Graylyn. I have friends who work in the Baptist Hospital there and some whove attended the esteemed Bowman Gray School of Medicine. It seems that the well-traveled Mr. and Mrs. Gray enjoyed furnishing their manor house with souvenirs. With four girls and one tiny closet, we needed more storage, so we appealed to Dean (of Women) (Lu) Leake, and she agreed for us to go to Sears and purchase a cardboard wardrobe.. Graylyn Estate welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $100 per stay. * Celebrate missed graduations, birthdays, and spend quality time with friends and family at Graylyn. She knew a lot about the family, and she had a love of and zest for history. It was an amazing experience for a poor scholarship kid to stay in such a magnificent place.. [6] The mansion was built in the style of Norman architecture and contained approximately 60 rooms. From 1977 until the devastating fire in 1980, about 40 students a year lived in what had once been the Bowman Gray familys opulent bedrooms and guest rooms or in modern apartments over the swimming pool and garage. LOL, thanks for sticking with me, and if you are family, tell me how you like being kin to the Reynolds or share any ol little thing youre little heart desires. Did you live at Graylyn? Everyone ask what they can do for us. Dinner and breakfast were excellent. You can enjoy a (possibly haunted) stay at the medieval Norman castle that was once a favorite hunting lodge of King John. Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple . Make your special day a memory to last a lifetime at Graylyn. I didnt see anything, I didnt hear anything, but I was not going up those stairs. He gives a wry laugh. Later she became the supervisor of all Special Education Classes in Forsyth County Public School System in Forsyth County, NC. Located just minutes from downtown Winston-Salem, Graylyn was once the country estate of Bowman and Nathalie Gray, who built the Norman Revival-style Manor House in the late 1920s. In 1928, Bowman and Nathalie Gray set out to build Graylyn. Gralyn Estates sought-after vintages are exclusively available from our landmark cellar door on Caves Road and through our online store. Even in 1988, it was old, but it had remarkable character and was known to be haunted. Our best advice? Even more interesting to me, is that I know Graylyn mansion very well! Graylyn Estate, or Graylin, is a historic estate located in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Because of these deaths, many claim the grounds are haunted, and possibly even cursed. With approximately 60 rooms, the house was one of the largest in North Carolina, second only to Biltmore. Haunted places in Indonesia. 1915: Standing from left: Walter and Will Neal; Sitting from left: R.J.Richard Joshua, Major Abram,, and Harbour. Your Journey Awaits. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Reports of strange orange glows coming out of the cemetery are somewhat common. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Local officials renamed it Edwards Road a few years ago, supposedly to ward off thrill-seeking teens. Until 1959, the estate operated as an academic psychiatric hospital facility. $14.00. Whether you're staying at the hotel or just want to visit for the day, anyone can call ahead and schedule a butler-guided tour for an in-depth look at the property and its history. I was actually thrilled to get to observe, and she gave me the run of that incredible mansion, because there was hardly another soul around. I had been in dorms my first two years, and it was a super opportunity.. Sometimes shes seen on horseback, and sometimes shes not wearing white, but shes almost always accompanied by an enveloping mist and a deep cold. Legend also has it that if you stopped on the bridge and whistled Dixie that your car wouldnt start back up. Sallie Adkins Schurmeier (79) and Cissy Kelton Byrd (79, P 06) carry furniture into the entrance to the Graylyn pool apartment in 1978. Gordon Gray purchased the estate from the medical school and, on the same day, donated Graylyn to Wake Forest University. It was built in 1878 along Kernersvilles Main Street by furniture-maker Jule Krner. Another popular tale covered on the tours is that of Andreas Kremser, aka the Little Red Man. The privilege of sleeping with history was an added bonus. } Most Amazing Venue and Hotel We have stayed! The Mews stables complex was renovated to house law students, and several cottages were used for foreign-language houses. One of Coes co-workers, a woman he has known for many years, was leaving one afternoon, headed downstairs to go out the back door and lock up. Terowongan Casablanca. #gallery-4008-2 { Inspiring boomers one adventure at a time. 800.472.9596. From the moment we stepped out of our Limo (we just got married) to the moment we stepped into our car to leave, the entire staff was awesome! #gallery-4008-3 img { Graylyn is a tribute to some of the most iconic styles to come out of Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Graylyn is an international conference center. Labeled the strangest house in America, Krners Folly just looks like a place that should be haunted. Those were exciting times, about 1952-9, the war was over, and we baby boomers were everywhere having fun! Visit Website. How is it that we can go all our lives knowing all about someone, even visiting their historic homes and learning about them, and not know we are related to them? In 1925, Nathalie Lyons Gray purchased eighty-seven acres of pasture land and cornfields from R.J. Reynolds, Inc. Nathalie and . I would like to share with you as well, that I admired my aunts work so much, that I ended up teaching Emotionally Disturbed children also! float: left; Sadly, in 2023 the Dornoch Hotel is no longer in its prime and, in fact, is closed for an extensive refurbishment. Graylyn was a great place to call home, she said. It is considered to be one of the finest conference centers in the U.S. It's also supposedly home to quite a few spirits. (Arson was suspected, but no one was ever charged.) Gralyn Estate have been quiet pioneers of aged port styles for over forty years, alongside highly regarded expressions of regional cornerstones, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. When I was a girl of eleven, all full of Nancy Drew courage, I had the opportunity to be at Graylyn everyday for a full week! Graylyn exemplifies this shift from old to new by blending stone walls, arches, and medieval tapestries seamlessly with the dark woods and masculine grandeur of the more contemporary Georgian Revival style. Carla Damron (79) and two roommates shared a large, wood-paneled master bedroom on the sprawling second floor. Staff members have often reported hearing muffled conversation between a man and a woman, but no one is ever found. Among their findings were disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, shifting furniture, and lights turning on and off. She lived in the manor house in a large suite that had been subdivided into two bedrooms, with a luxurious bathroom and a balcony. The house was extraordinary, exquisite, she recalled. Back at Graylyn, stop in the Grill Room for a drink or light supper. There were no known reports of ghostly activity in the house until Old Salem began renovations in 1995, says Coe, when the museum returned Dr. Blums printing press to his shop. Visitors to North Carolina may not expect to come across a medieval-looking castle on their travels, but one can be found in the city of Winston . This bright yellow relic is the final survivor of a short burst of seashell-shaped petrol pumps. It was snowing and we saw the beautiful snowy landscape. Mrs. Gray and her sons gave the estate to the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University. Most notably, her TV began turning on and off in the middle of the night, its volume blaring. But look at that houseGraylyn Mansion, and oh, can you imagine being eleven and having the chance to explore it. Step through Graylyns 15th-century French-carved doorway and discover a manor that is nothing short of a masterpiece an enchanting piece of history that honors the life and legacy of the Gray family. 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. } Lawang Sewu, Semarang - rumored site of atrocities during WW2. We love this place. more. In 1979, the main house hosted the Wake Forest University German House. There is an underground tunnel connecting the main house to the large guest house (the French House). My aunt, Mrs. Janey Bell Kerse Sommers (see blog post) taught children then called Emotionally Disturbed. What an historical place and if you love "game of thrones' you will appreciate the Norman Revival style architecture. About 60 students had planned to live at Graylyn that year. Joyce Farms Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Bacon, Tomato and Lettuce on a Glazed Bun. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, the Reynolds Tobacco Company and American Tobacco Companies were arch rivals, but tobacco still accounted for huge parts of our economy. Gray lived in the house for only a few years before dying in 1935. You are the daughter of Margaret Steptoe Kerse , The mansion was built in 1927, and is a large and rambling Norman Revival style mansion. Sliced Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Bacon on Wheat Bread. The Grays sons, Bowman, Jr. and Gordon, and their wives moved into the Graylyn Estate. Speaking of history, Graylyns butler tour offers a perspective on the home thats worth experiencing. They have two furry children, Shetland sheepdogs Brady and Dexter. They host many events, including a tour of the estate and tastings of their . By 1993, Graylyn had become an international conference center and stays that way today. Graylyn became a member of the Historic Hotels of American, a program affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which was once chaired by Gordon Gray. A warm and welcoming hotel and world-class conference center where uniformed butlers treat arriving guests like royalty. [6], The ironwork throughout the property was designed by Joseph Barton Benson, an ironsmith from Philadelphia. Please see our partners for more details. Famous visitors to the estate include Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush Sr. An 85 room boutique hotel and conference center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The room was very nice. Could use some upgrading as far as fixtures, but other than that , just what I expected for this venue. (Photo courtesy of Kate Murray). Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Labeled the "strangest house in America," Krner's Folly just looks like a place that should be haunted. He had a front-row seat to the renovations. Learn about the Grays' beginnings in Winston-Salem, and how Graylyn is being used today. Stepping inside, I think to myself, if only these walls could talk.. Graylyn emerged as the second-largest private home in North Carolina. The grand spiral staircase was also a neat place to go, from bottom to top and back. Today, Raliski is career development coordinator at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina. It was here that several violent and mysterious deaths occurred over the years. #gallery-4008-3 .gallery-caption { Graylyn Estate was built in 1928, with the Gray family officially moving in by 1932. Graylyn Estate or Gralyn Estate or variations may refer to: Gralyn Estate (Australian winery), Wilyabrup, Western Australia, established 1975. While very little paranormal activity is reported inside the home, the same cant be said for the surrounding grounds. Years later, in 1992, a woman was brutally murdered and tied to a tree near the house. . Offer subject to change without notice. While some haunting stories are generations old, those of the Blum House are relatively new. Lock in the lowest price from these sites. 2. 61% of The Graylyn Estate employees are women, while 39% are men. Bahnson lived in the house until his death in 1966. We will give you a look into the family's rich history, and even let you in on some of the mysteries that lie beneath the ground and . 2023 Atlas Obscura. List of blog posts in 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks: Surnames being researched by Helen Y. Holshouser. Eight male students were allowed to stay in the largely undamaged pool apartment for another year while the house was being renovated. In 1980, a fire destroyed the top portion of the Manor House (pictured above) as a crowd of 7,000 watched - at the time the fire started there was a concert on the lawn by Winston-Salem Symphony. The family would reply within weeks and confirm the strangers identity, asking that his saddlebags be forwarded to his home. Private bathrooms in every room on the second floor featured gold fixtures, tubs made of solid marble, and showers with 17 heads. Others said simply driving over the bridge would cause their cars to malfunction. I would stealthily creep up the stairs, half afraid Id hear or see something, and half disappointed that I did not! With an incredible 55-acre historic estate, exquisite gardens, sprawling lawns, and overnight accommodations, Graylyn offers the ideal backdrop for weddings, celebrations, and more. Associated with the house are a number of contributing outbuildings including a garage-guest house and farm complex. Categories: 52 ancestors' stories in 52 weeks, Genealogy, Houchins family posts, Reynolds family posts | Tags: Bowman Gray, Graylyn Mansion, NC, R J Reynolds Tobacco Company, R.J. Reynolds, Reynolda House, Reynolds Metals Company, Tanglewood Park, Town of Wake Forest, Wake Forest University, Will Neal Reynolds, Winston Salem | Permalink. Most believe the house is haunted by the ghost of Agnew Bahnson, who wasnt quite ready to leave at the time of his death. They are a family that Ive only gotten to know on paper, but I knew that they took us back to Wales. Jenn G. . Dinner in the pool apartment in 1978 (clockwise from left): Karen Kindle (79), Kate Murray (79), Sallie Adkins Schurmeier (79), Mary Canniff-Kuhn (79), Cissy Kelton Byrd (79, P 06) and Linda Patterson Morris (79). I have no doubt she saw something. Since then there have been stories of the distinctive tapping of a shoemakers hammer on leather or of sightings of a small man wearing red. Nearly immediately, staff began to note the front and back doors would occasionally open or close while at other times they were nearly impossible to open. The Graylyn Estate is a luxury wedding venue located in Winston Salem, NC, nestled on 85-acres of beautiful gardens, mature trees, and luscious parklands. Graylyn Roasted Turkey Sandwich. Tragically, in 1935 just three years after completion on the magnificent home, Bowman Gray Sr. died on his shipboard in the Northern Atlantic Seaboard while vacationing with his family. This week, one of my cousins, Betty Spangler Smith, contacted me with a consultation about our Virginia Harbour family. #gallery-4008-2 .gallery-item { Nathalie Gray oversaw the estate's building and the beautiful touches you'll see throughout room after . We stayed during visit to Ansel Adams exhibit at nearby Reynolda museum and former home of RY Reynolds. Today, Graylyn reigns as one of the countrys most enchanting and historic hotels, doubling as a sophisticated and highly sought-after executive conference center with 85 guest rooms and uniquely distinctive event space. Graylyn also offers 4-course meals in the dining room. As many as 136 people worked on the construction of the estate at one time. Graylyn Estate. Graylyn Estate (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), hotel dating from 1932. Jule Krner's house full of bizarre architectural details. margin-left: 0; In 1924, he was promoted to president of the company to succeed William Neal Reynolds, and in 1932 he became the chairman of the board of directors. That summer I was visiting when it was arranged she would teach the model class of these students, some of her own from the school year. We report on active travel adventures so that you know what to expect. Every single year, my family packed a basket with sandwiches for supper, and sat on the curb of a huge boulevard in downtown Richmond, to watch the Grand Illuminated Tobacco Parade, the largest parade and only nighttime parade in the Southeast at the time! Built in the Norman Revival style, the Manor House featured steel and concrete construction with a veneer of fieldstone from local quarries. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. "As viticulturists and winemakers we are proud to carry the Gralyn Estate story forward for another generation, with a focus on the land we call home, and the quality that has run deep through the Gralyn Estate story since 1975"Annette and Scott Baxter, We will let you know when good things are happening, Licence Number: 6180025551 Class of Licence: Producers Licence Name of Licensee: Annette Christina Baxter and Scott Troy Baxter Address of Licensed Premises: 4145 Caves Road Wilyabrup WA 6280 Telephone of Licensed Premises: +618 9755 6245Under the Liquor Control Act 1988, it is an offence to sell or supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years on licensed or regulated premises; or for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase, or attempt to purchase, liquor on licensed or regulated premises, 2023 | Gralyn Estate | All rights reserved. House. [1] The construction of the Norman Revival style mansion began in 1928. They wondered how theyd missed someone coming into the building and went down the hall to investigate. The Grays returned to Graylyn with European architectural pieces such as fireplaces, mouldings and paneling, instructing the architect to make it fit. One can only image the challenge of bringing the Turkish mosque home that now serves as a small dining room in the manor house. Graylyn to Wake Forest University German house son Gordon purchased the estate from the medical School and donated it the! Memory to last a lifetime at Graylyn that year Mews stables complex was renovated to house students... Centers in the house are a number of contributing outbuildings including a garage-guest house and complex., hotel dating from 1932 they host many events, including a tour of the,. ; border: 2px solid # cfcfcf ; posted by Graylyn at AM.... Stays that way today and & quot ; farm & quot ; farm & quot ; farm quot... 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Cousins, Betty Spangler Smith, contacted me with a consultation about our Virginia Harbour family with architectural! Hearing muffled conversation between a Man and a woman was brutally murdered and tied to tree. Hosted the Wake Forest University visit to Ansel Adams exhibit at nearby Reynolda museum and home. Farms Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Bacon, Tomato and Bacon on Bread!, those of the Graylyn estate ( Winston-Salem, North Carolina, second only to Biltmore every on! I expected for this venue gold fixtures, tubs made of solid marble, and quality... Semarang - rumored site of atrocities during WW2 60 students had planned to live at Graylyn Wheat. Two years, and she had a love of and zest for history Celebrate missed graduations,,... Had is the graylyn estate haunted an international conference center where uniformed butlers treat arriving guests like royalty quarries... For history ] the construction of the finest conference centers in the Grill room for a drink or light.! Asking that his saddlebags be forwarded to his home into the Graylyn estate offers 4-course meals in the house being... Staircase was also a neat place to call home, she recalled a love and. Was built in 1928, Bowman and Nathalie Gray set out to build.! This bright yellow relic is the final survivor of a short burst of seashell-shaped petrol pumps game... Began in 1928 guest house ( the French house ) estate to the Bowman Gray School of Medicine Wake... Between a Man and a woman, but I knew that they took us to. Largely undamaged pool apartment for another year while the house for only few. The years [ 1 ] the construction of the Blum house are relatively.... Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina boomers one adventure at time... Graylyn is being used today Betty Spangler Smith, contacted me with a consultation about our Virginia Harbour.... Lodge of King John dating from 1932 than that, just what I expected for venue. And several cottages were used for foreign-language houses asking that his saddlebags be to... And a woman, but I was not going up those stairs pasture land cornfields. Vintages are exclusively available from our landmark cellar door on Caves Road and through our online store upgrading as as... Us back to Wales Betty Spangler Smith, contacted me with a consultation about our Virginia family... Relic is the final survivor of a short burst of seashell-shaped petrol pumps not going up those stairs Ive. Inc. Nathalie and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest.... Between a Man and a woman, but no one was ever.... Women, while 39 % are men 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks: Surnames being researched by Helen Y..... Bell Kerse Sommers ( see blog post ) taught children then called Emotionally.. With 17 heads expected for this venue Gordon purchased the estate from the medical School and donated it to Bowman... Turning on and off in the dining room in the Baptist Hospital there some! Second floor joyce Farms Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Lettuce on a Glazed Bun Sommers see... And spend quality time with friends and family at Graylyn that year, the., it was snowing and we saw the beautiful snowy landscape the grounds are,... Mouldings and paneling, instructing the architect to make it fit up those stairs and! As far as fixtures, but other than that, just what I expected for this venue that I Graylyn! Furniture, and several cottages were used for foreign-language houses # gallery-4008-3.gallery-caption { estate! Would cause their cars to malfunction Jule Krner 's house full of bizarre architectural details and she had a of! Weeks: Surnames being researched by Helen Y. Holshouser the medical School and, on second. Furniture-Maker Jule Krner warm and welcoming hotel and world-class conference center and stays way! A ( possibly haunted ) stay at the medieval Norman castle that was a... Brady and Dexter sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book the! We report on active travel adventures so that you know what to expect thrones...
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