The Space
The Penn House is a magnificent 12,500-square-foot Colonial Revival home built in 1932, located on three beautifully landscaped acres in historic downtown Reidsville. The original home, built by Charles and Stella Penn around 1908, burned in 1931. Architect Bryant Hurd of Danville, Virginia designed the replacement, completed in 1932 with an impressive Corinthian portico and handsome interior woodwork with freely interpreted Neo-Federal details. Charles Penn, Vice President of American Tobacco, was a major figure in Reidsville’s tobacco industry and is largely responsible for developing the "Lucky Strikes" brand of cigarettes.
The structure is the largest and most elaborate Colonial Revival residence from the 1920 to 1940 period still standing in Reidsville. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the home sits in the Reidsville Historic District and has been owned and operated by the City of Reidsville since its donation in 1980. The front facade features a full-facade, full-height portico with six Corinthian order columns, commanding attention upon arrival.
Capacity & Layout
The main house accommodates 150 seated guests, with standing capacity of 250. The American Room seats 24 guests, the Marble Room seats 10, the Gazebo Room and Bee Penn Room with Baby Grand piano are available as breakout spaces. The bride and groom each have special rooms to dress for the wedding, with private facilities and professional lighting for preparations and photos.
A new Carriage House opened in early 2024 and seats approximately 250 guests, providing a separate, modern venue space on the same property. This addition allows for larger receptions or multiple event configurations. Both venues are available individually or together for multi-space celebrations. Indoor spaces provide backup in the event of rain for weddings with 150 or fewer guests, and fully landscaped outdoor ceremony areas are available on the three-acre grounds.
Amenities
The historic home includes a slate-roofed gazebo, a two-story garage, servants’ apartment, smokehouse, and two greenhouses, adding architectural interest to the grounds and providing functional outbuildings. WiFi is available throughout the venues. Wheelchair accessibility is provided, and accessible parking is available.
The three landscaped acres feature fully developed outdoor ceremony areas with mature trees and formal garden spaces. On-site parking accommodates guest vehicles. The property’s historic character, combined with modern additions like the Carriage House, allows couples to celebrate within a documented historical landmark while accessing contemporary event infrastructure.
Location & Getting There
The Penn House is located in historic downtown Reidsville, North Carolina, in the heart of the community. The setting combines a residential neighborhood context with civic importance. Reidsville sits in Rockingham County in the central Piedmont region. The historic district surrounding the venue adds character and provides nearby dining and photo opportunities for guests before or after the event.
The main house’s high ceilings and period architectural details create pleasant acoustics within the American Room and primary reception spaces. The hard flooring and enclosed interior spaces support clear DJ audio, while the separation of the Carriage House provides independent sound control if both venues are used. The hard surfaces are offset by the historic interior finishes that provide natural sound absorption. Open sightlines and room configurations allow straightforward speaker placement for even coverage, and the connection between indoor reception areas and outdoor grounds enables a DJ to manage both interior and garden space sound levels effectively.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Your price depends on your date, your area, and add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound. Pick your date on our pricing page and you will see your exact price, and just $400 reserves your date.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 retainer reserves your date.
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Fill out the form and a real member of our team reaches out, usually the same day. No call center, no pressure.
- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
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