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Inspiring students for 100 years

Reynolds High School still welcoming students 100 years later

The city needed more education space after the towns of Winston + Salem merged in 1913. | Photo by WStoday

Students at RJ Reynolds High School are walking the halls of history. The school on Hawthorne Road opened in 1923 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s a lot to learn on and about this campus.

Let’s go back to history class

RJ Reynolds High School is named after Richard Joshua Reynolds, the founder of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. Despite the namesake, he never saw the buildings go up — he died in 1918, five years before the school welcomed the first students.

His widow, Katharine Smith Reynolds Johnston, was a champion of education and was instrumental in the school’s founding. She donated the purchase price of the land and money to build the auditorium.

A fine facility

Charles Barton Keen started designing the school in 1919. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the architect had another connection to the Reynolds family — he designed their estate, Reynolda House. Keen used Thomas Jefferson’s plan for the University of Virginia as inspiration for the high school. Supporters hoped appealing aesthetics would motivate students to be innovative (back then only about 5% of the US population went to college).

RJ Reynolds High School started educating teens on Jan. 15, 1923 out of necessity. Even though construction wasn’t complete, students at Winston High School needed a place to continue their education after a fire destroyed their classrooms at the building on Cherry Street.

WStoday_Reynolds High School_old photo — The high school and auditorium in 1927, three years after construction was completed.
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Photo via Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection

Teaching generations

Thousands of Reynolds students have gone on to achieve success (musician Ben Folds and the late ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott are among its well-known graduates). The school has an award-winning Arts Magnet Program and its supporters are looking toward the next big project so athletes can compete on their home turf — construction on the M. Douglas Crater Field + Stadium is currently underway.

Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County

Events

Monday, Aug. 28

Support Literacy Day benefiting Wiley Middle School | Monday, Aug. 28 | 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | 634 West 4th St., Suite 110, Winston-Salem | Shop at Bookmarks in store + online to support Wiley Middle School’s work to diversify the school’s media collection and build a family literacy initiative.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Songbird Supper Club | Tuesday, Aug. 29, Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 400 S. Green St., Winston-Salem | Free | Watch performers and artists celebrate women and help them express themselves at this family-friendly event.
Winston-Salem Dash vs. Rome | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 7 p.m. | Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Wy, Winston-Salem | $13-$53 | It’s O2 Fitness Tote Tuesday — the first 200 guests will receive a free clear tote bag.*

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Fireweed Dinner series | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | West Salem Public House, 400 Green St. South, Winston-Salem | $65 | Enjoy a five-course meal that highlights local food cooked over an open flame.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Wake Forest Football vs Elon | Thursday, Aug. 31 | Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | $15-$65 | Watch the WFU Demon Deacons take on the Elon Phoenix for opening night.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Face to Face Speaker Forum: Doris Kearns Goodwin and Michael Beschloss | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Wait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | $57-$115 | You’re invited to a lively and informative conversation between two world-renowned presidential historians and noted authors.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Health

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist says an additional $34.7 million is needed to build an ambulatory surgery center the hospital system has had planned since 2010. The new project cost is now estimated at $78.4 million. (Triad Business Journal)

Number

$280,631. That’s the total grant Winston-Salem Police Department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office received from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Today, Monday, Aug. 28, city council will consider the recommendation that the agencies evenly split the grant to fund criminal justice initiatives. (Triad City Beat)

Kids

16 more Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to students during the 2023-2024 school year, bringing the total to 64 schools district-wide. Families in need at all schools are encouraged to apply for free or reduced cost meals for their children. (WXII 12 News)

Pets

Can your home welcome a four-legged family member? You have four more days to adopt a pet from Forsyth Humane Society for a reduced price of $25 during its Clear the Shelters event. The facility is located at 4881 Country Club Rd. and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Finance

How many cards are in your wallet? Make your answer “one.” Earn a $200 sign-up bonus simply by spending $500 in your first three months with this card. Pair that with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 15 months — oh, and unlimited cash back.*

Travel

Do you have plans for Labor Day yet?

Our guide to visiting 7 of the best national parks

A view of the mountains of the blue ridge with the sun peaking through clouds above.

Prepare for spectacular blue views. | Photo via the National Parks Service

Miles and miles of roadways framed by sweeping mountain views, thriving greenery, and plenty of places to pull off and hike? Yes, please. The Blue Ridge is a driveable, scenic experience. Fun fact: If you wanted to drive along all 469 miles of the Blue Ridge, you’d be looking at a ~12 hour trip without traffic.

Getting there
Expect about an hour + 15 minute drive from Winston-Salem to the closest point on the Parkway. The National Park Service advises that GPS units do not work well for the parkway so maps might come in handy.

Open hours and seasons
The Parkway road is open year-round.

Fees
There’s no fee to cruise along the Parkway.

Major rules
Don’t pick flowers along the Parkway. Dogs must be leashed on Parkway trails.

Want to hit the road? Check out our guide to national parks across the country.

Explore more

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I always looked forward to going back to school as a kid — meeting my teachers, the fresh school supplies, and the anticipation of so much to learn. I’m wishing the same joy to students who return to class today. Don’t forget that first day photo!

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