“Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet” to open at Reynolda House Sept. 9

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August x, 2023)— “Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet” will open at Reynolda House Museum of American Art on Sept. 9 and will be on view through Dec. 31, 2023. This exhibition presents a fascinating look through archival objects, news articles and other primary sources of an unsolved murder that rocked the Reynolda estate and made national headlines in 1932.

Smith Reynolds with biplane, circa 1928. Reynolda House Archives

Like most family homes, Reynolda House witnessed its share of tragedies, none more shocking than the death by gunshot of Zachary Smith (“Smith”) Reynolds, youngest child of R.J. and Katharine Smith Reynolds. Soon after midnight on July 6, 1932, Smith was shot on a sleeping porch at the family’s country estate. Smith died later that morning. Smith’s wife Libby Holman was ultimately charged with first-degree murder and Smith’s childhood friend and secretary Albert “Ab” Walker was named as accomplice. In a stunning reversal, the case was dropped before coming to trial. To this day, it is not known whether Smith Reynolds, 20-year-old heir and renowned aviator, died by suicide, accident or murder.

Libby Holman and Zachary Smith Reynolds on Honeymoon in Hong Kong, 1932. Courtesy of the Liam Donnelly Archive.

Among the items on display will be photographs and letters from Reynolda’s archives; a newly digitized newsreel from Hearst Metrotone News that was seen coast-to-coast prior to Hollywood movies in the summer of 1932; original news service photographs used by newspapers across the United States; oral histories about the case from people that knew Smith Reynolds personally, including his sister Nancy and employees of Reynolda; an animated film about the night of the shooting, produced by Out of Our Minds Animation Studios (outofourmindsstudios.com), a Winston-Salem company; and a sketch of the murder scene made by the local sheriff at the time. In addition, posters, programs and other memorabilia from Libby Holman’s theatrical and musical career as well as a replica of a gown made famous by Holman in a musical by Vincent Youmans and Oscar Hammerstein II will be on display. The gown was created by Jenna Sais Quoi LLC, an atelier located in Winston-Salem focused on custom apparel, costumes, dancewear and limited-edition collections. Jenna Sais Quoi (jsqdesigns.com/home) was founded by Jenna Anderson, a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) School of Design and Production.

Sept. 23, 1–4 p.m.; Oct. 28, 1–4 p.m.; and Nov. 4, 1–4 p.m.

Included with Museum Admission

Several major Hollywood films were related to or inspired by the story of Smith and Libby. In September, Reynolda will screen “Written on the Wind,” (1956)starring Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall. It will be introduced by Dale Pollock, dean emeritus of the UNCSA School of Filmmaking. “Reckless,” (1935) starring Jean Harlow and William Powell. will be shown in October. It also will be introduced by Pollock. In November, the film “Sunset Boulevard”will be introduced by David Lubin, the Charlotte C. Weber Professor of Art History at Wake Forest University. The Sirens of the Silver Screen film series is presented by Mike and Debbie Rubin.

Sept. 30, 3–5:30 p.m.

$100 per person

Attendees will experience an afternoon of music and storytelling exploring the life and music of Libby Holman. Holman was sultry, smart, and bluesy. It is said she changed the way America sang and then promptly was forgotten. Or, perhaps, she was remembered for the wrong reason. For 40 years, she was known as the woman indicted for the murder of her husband, Smith Reynolds, in a case that was never solved. Reynolda Noir Matinée shines a spotlight on Holman—the wife, mother, civil rights activist, and “smokiest torch on Broadway.” Dr. Michele Gillespie, historian and provost of Wake Forest University, and Phil Archer, curator and Betsy Main Babcock deputy director at Reynolda, will discuss some of the lesser-known truths of Libby’s life, including details of her activism during the civil rights movement and the undeniable impact she made as a Broadway performer. As the story unfolds, enjoy several of Libby’s hit songs performed by soprano Jodi Burns with arrangements and accompaniment by Kenneth Frazelle. This event is presented by Ashley and Rick Wimmer.

Nov. 4, 6–8 p.m.

$25, Ages 21+

After the sun sets, Reynolda opens its doors to visitors 21+ for an evening of music, drinks, and art. Visitors can tour Reynolda’s current exhibition “Smith & Libby,” view the Historic House featuring highlights from the permanent collection and enjoy on a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a prize. There will be cocktails and onsite food trucks.

Drinks @ Dusk is presented by Leonard Ryden Burr Real Estate.

Visit reynolda.org/visit/calendar for details about these events and to register.

Reynolda House is grateful for the support of the following sponsors of “Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet”:

Major Sponsors:

First Horizon

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Lead Sponsor:

Howard Upchurch and John Hoemann

Contributing Sponsor:

Pam and Fred Kahl

Exhibition Partners:

Lynn and Barry Eisenberg

Lamar Advertising

Tom Lambeth and Jock Tate

Our State Magazine

Anonymous

The Robert and Constance Emken Fund of The Winston-Salem Foundation

Leigh and Gray Smith

Mary Craig and Andy Tennille

Verger Capital Management

Hours and Admission

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, located at 2250 Reynolda Rd., is open to visitors Tuesday–Saturday from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30–4:30 p.m. Admission is charged, though several free admission categories apply. Reynolda Gardens is open from dawn to dusk daily, free of charge. The Greenhouse is open Tuesday–Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Reynolda Village merchants’ hours vary. No ticket is needed to shop at the Reynolda House Museum Store.

About Reynolda

Reynolda is set on 170 acres in Winston-Salem, N.C. and comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants. The Museum presents a renowned art collection in a historic and incomparable setting: the original 1917 interiors of Katharine and R. J. Reynolds’s 34,000-square-foot home. Its collection is a chronology of American art and featured exhibitions are offered in the Museum’s Babcock Wing Gallery and historic house bedrooms. The Gardens serve as a 134-acre outdoor horticultural oasis open to the public year-round, complete with colorful formal gardens, nature trails and a greenhouse. In the Village, the estate’s historic buildings are now home to a vibrant mix of boutiques, restaurants, shops and services. Plan your visit at reynolda.org and use the free mobile app, Reynolda Revealed, to self-tour the estate.

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