Your Seat Back in Time

Cherish a piece of history. Own a handcrafted bench, designed by Thomas Sears for Reynolda. Built on the original specs and crafted from the wood of a century-old original Reynolda red oak tree, these benches are one-of-a-kind and suggested for indoor use.

THE STORY of the REYNOLDA RED OAK

In 1906, Katharine Reynolds began assembling tracts of played-out farmland to establish the thousand-acre estate that came to be called Reynolda. As many as 18 mineral-rich natural springs made the site favorable, and Reynolda’s first landscape architects, Buckenham and Miller, planned a dam system to form a sixteenacre lake, named for Katharine.

The estate’s second great transformation was a long, undulating lawn, more than two-thirds of a mile long and terminating in a private nine-hole golf course. Through this expanse, a driveway wound toward the front entrance of the main house. On one side of this newly-sculpted lawn stood a young, 20-year-old red oak tree that was to witness a storied family’s life for the next 100 years.

For over a century, this red oak saw the family grow. It saw Smith land his plane on the front lawn. It saw family and friends play golf, attend parties, enjoy long walks, and revel in the natural beauty that accepted the Reynolds family as its keepers.

On May 1, 2020, the red oak fell. Not of disease, by design, or unfortunate acts. As with all things, its time had come. Upon its falling, a call was made to salvage the tree. The tree was claimed and milled on the spot and became a member of the Roots Originals company. Nearly 3,000 board feet of red oak was milled and has been carefully curated by Roots Originals LLC for intentional use.

THE SEARS BENCHES

During the construction of Reynolda, renowned landscape architect Thomas Sears was hired to design Reynolda Gardens. Sears was a graduate in the first class of the first academic program in landscape architecture—the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard—where he studied with Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. He then worked in the office of the Olmsted Brothers in Brookline, Massachusetts. Starting in 1915, Sears designed gardens and plantings around Reynolda’s main bungalow and throughout Reynolda Village, and he returned over several decades to adapt and revise plans throughout Reynolda. To create a space that could be viewed and experienced holistically, a series of eight benches was designed, built, and placed around the estate and gardens.

In January 2021, Reynolda commissioned Roots Originals to re-create exact replicas of several of these benches. Using the original design plans, the company paid careful attention to the specific measurements, attachments, and functionality of the benches.

Mike Haggas, owner of Roots Originals, says: “ We focus on creating pieces made from woods that have their own stories and history. All of our former projects come with a sense of creating an heirloom with a story; not just a piece of furniture or item. The opportunity to acquire the Reynolda Red Oak and put forth a plan to honor the estate, family and Thomas Sears while supporting Reynolda Gardens was one that we couldn’t pass up. For Roots Originals, it also serves as tribute to the countless furniture makers in the area whose talents benefitted so many people. Their legacy is not forgotten. Rather, it is being remembered and paid forward. We are honored to play a role in this initiative.”

The following benches have been selected for replication. Limited quantities available. Benches are suggested for indoor use. Sales of these benches support Reynolda Gardens. Contact Beth Warren at warrenb@wfu.edu to reserve your bit of history.

Bench C on display in the Museum lower lobby.

BENCH C

$3,000 (currently on view in the lower lobby of Reynolda House) 3’ 9” length 2’ 8” height 1’ 7” depth (1’ 2” in seat depth) 47 pieces custom cut and assembled

BENCH D

$2,000 3’ length 2’ 8” height 1’ 7” depth (1’ 2” in seat depth) 45 pieces custom cut and assembled

BENCH F

$4,000 5’ length 2’ 8” height 1’ 7” depth (1’ 2” in seat depth) 50 pieces custom cut and assembled