The property at 3240 Valley Rd. is no average house. It’s the home that belonged to the late Dr. Maya Angelou — an American author, poet, and Civil Rights activist. Dr. Angelou called Winston-Salem home after she accepted a lifetime professorship to teach at Wake Forest University in 1981.
The legacy
After Dr. Angelou died in 2014, her home was part of the Maya Angelou Foundation for two years before the current owner bought the property.
The sunroom is where Oprah Winfrey interviewed Dr. Angelou from the comfort of her couch, during which she said “this is the place that most feels like home to me.”
Multiple features of the home — like the kitchen cabinets and the sunroom — maintained its authenticity. The owner wanted to preserve the essence of who Angelou was, agent Brian Trainum, with Mark Spain Real Estate, told City Editor Kellina. After she bought the property in 1991, Dr. Angelou extended part of the home because she wanted the house to have a bigger presence where she could host people regularly.
The kitchen: Winfrey’s favorite place to be
The kitchen space holds precious memories for Winfrey. “You have the kind of home I hope to have one day,” she said during during their interview at her house.
The home is over 6,400 sqft with plenty of open space and large windows reflecting the sunlight. Here are other features:
- Four bedroom suites + two additional suites
- Seven bathrooms
- Two-car detached garage
- A full-size basketball court
- A shaded outdoor patio
Carrying the vision
Trainum said the current owner is looking for an individual or institution that honors and appreciates Dr. Angelou’s legacy to take over the property.
“We want to see people’s vision. It can be whatever someone wants to bring, it’s just about keeping the legacy.”
Although the property is not yet listed for sale, Trainum said they anticipate selling the home for $650,000 to the right buyer. An open house for those interested in buying the property will be held in May.