Reynolds Auditorium has seen its share of activity over the years. In addition to events involving R. J. Reynolds High School, it has served as an entertainment venue for the community.
Since it opened in 1924, it has hosted concerts by all types of musicians. The Nutcracker’s premier performance took place there, accompanied first by recorded music, and later by the Winston-Salem Symphony. For many years Miss Winston-Salem pageant hopefuls strutted and performed on its stage, with their eyes on the crown. And, young girls tap danced in front of family and friends, dressed as dolls or Peter Pan, in Miss Vinnie Frederick’s dance recitals.
The wear and tear on the building was addressed several times in its history. Renovations were conducted in 1948 and in 1963. The latest renovation began in 2000, with the open house for the renovated auditorium held on this day in 2002.
Ellen Kutcher wrote a book on the 2002 renovation which also included a history of the auditorium. The book, Richard J. Reynolds Memorial Auditorium; Vision and Triumph, was published in 2003.
Postcard courtesy of Molly Grogan Rawls.
