Smith Walker Bagley Interview

DateJuly 24, 1980

MediumDocument

Credit LineReynolda House Museum of American Art Archives

CopyrightPublic Domain

Object numberOH.02.025.1

DescriptionSmith Walker Bagley (1935-2010) was interviewed by Lu Ann Jones as part of the Reynolda Oral History Project. Bagley was the son of Nancy Susan Reynolds and Henry Walker Bagley. Born in New York, Bagley grew up on Quarry Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut, but spent time in New York and St. Simons Island. Bagely started his professional life with Reynolds Metals before transferring to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Bagely joined the Democratic party at 17 and ran unsuccessfully for congress in 1966 and 1968. He later served as vice chairman of finance for the Democratic National Committee. Bagley was also a president of the Arca Foundation, which focuses on social equity in developing countries.

ProvenanceThe Reynolda House Museum of American Art Oral History Project, established in 1980, gathered recollections from Reynolds family members and former employees, residents, and guests of the Reynolda estate. The interviews explore life at Reynolda and in Winston-Salem, N.C., during the early and mid-twentieth century, touching on the area’s socioeconomic, political, business, and cultural history. Early interviews conducted in 1980 were done by Lu Ann Jones; later interviews were conducted by museum staff.

Status

Not on view

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