Great Houses and Their Stories: Winston Salem's "Era of Success," 1912-1940

In the early 20th century, Winston-Salem was a hub of tobacco and textile manufacturing, attracting major architects to design for its wealthy clientele. Great Houses and Their Stories explores the city's finest residential architecture from that era, featuring spacious mansions, palatial gardens, and working farms. The book delves into the stories of the people who lived and worked in these historic buildings, hoping to advance the preservation of Winston-Salem's architectural legacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

In the early 20th century, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was a city of immense wealth and prosperity. The convergence of booming tobacco and textile manufacturing industries led to its emergence as the largest and richest city in the state. The city attracted renowned architects who designed grandiose commercial buildings and luxurious suburban estates for its newly affluent clientele. These opulent homes, known as "great houses," were not just symbols of wealth but also hosted generations of families who played a significant role in shaping the economic future of the country.

Great Houses and Their Stories delves into the finest residential architecture of that era in Winston-Salem. It showcases spacious mansions, palatial gardens, and even working farms that reflect the city's rich heritage. The book explores the stories of the people who lived and worked in these historic buildings, providing a deeper understanding of their lives and contributions.

Author Margaret Supplee Smith, Ph.D., and photographer Jackson Smith have collaborated to tell the rich histories of more than 75 great houses through stunning new photography, historic photographs, personal narratives, and oral histories. They have conducted diligent research of historical records and interviews with residents and local historians to uncover fascinating stories about the families whose fortunes shaped neighborhoods like Buena Vista, West Highlands, and Reynolda Park.

The publication of Great Houses and Their Stories aims to raise awareness about the preservation of Winston-Salem's rich architectural legacy. The city faces significant threats from demolition and overdevelopment, which risk erasing the remnants of its historic past. By highlighting the significance of these great houses, Preservation North Carolina hopes to inspire action and support for their preservation.

This book is a valuable resource for preservationists, history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and residents of Winston-Salem alike. It serves as a testament to the city's architectural heritage and the stories of the people who built and inhabited these magnificent homes. Through its pages, readers can glimpse into the past and appreciate the importance of preserving the architectural treasures of our cities for future generations.

Dimension: 241 x 305 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469670898