Monument Name
Richard Joshua Reynolds Equestrian Memorial, Winston-Salem
Type
Subjects
Creator
City
County
Description
The monument is a life-size rendering of Richard Joshua Reynolds astride a horse. Depicting a young Reynolds riding into Winston-Salem ready to seek his fortune, the rider faces forward looking to his right while he holds the reins in one hand and his hat in the other. The sculpture sits atop a low rectangular granite plinth mounted on a beveled granite base. A bronze plaque mounted on the front face of the plinth bears a commemorative inscription, and Reynolds' name and dates appear inscribed on the granite of the right face. The sculptor's signature appears on a plaque on the back of the base.
Images: Front plaqueInscription
Front, on plaque: RICHARD JOSHUA REYNOLDS / 1850-1918 / IN 1875, THIS YOUNG VIRGINIAN AGED 24 RODE / INTO WINSTON IN SEARCH OF A TOWN IN WHICH / TO BUILD HIS FIRST TOBACCO FACTORY. / THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE CITIZENS OF / WINSTON-SALEM AND FORSYTH COUNTY / THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED TO HONOR / A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN AND PUBLIC BENEFACTOR.
Right, on granite: RICHARD JOSHUA REYNOLDS / 1850-1918Dedication Date
June 25, 1979
Decade
Geographic Coordinates
36.096150 , -80.243480
Supporting Sources
Gillespie, Michele. 2012. Katharine and R.J. Reynolds : Partners of Fortune in the Making of the New South. Athens: University of Georgia Press.
Tilley, Nannie M. 1994. "Reynolds, Richard Joshua," NCpedia.org, (accessed December 29, 2013)
Public Site
Yes
Materials & Techniques
Bronze, granite
Subject Notes
Richard Joshua Reynolds, founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, was born in 1850 in Patrick County Virginia and died in 1918. Following his graduation from Emory and Henry College in Virginia and subsequent time working in his family's tobacco business, he moved to Winston-Salem to build his own business, taking advantage of the rail lines. He built his first factory in the city in 1874 and quickly built his wealth. He married a cousin, Katherine Smith, in 1905, and together the two increased their economic and social reach and became leading philanthropists within their community and North Carolina. Reynolds is also credited with progressive politics and a progressive approach to improving the working conditions in his factories and businesses.
Location
The monument is located on the eastern side of North Main Street on the southeastern side of the intersection of North Main Street with 2nd Street East.
Landscape
The statue sits several feet from the sidewalk in a garden area surrounded by trees, shrubs, and seasonal plantings.
Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on
this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.
