Chinqua Penn Plantation ranks high among North Carolina's finest well-preserved early 20th century homes, including Reynolda House, and Duke Mansion.

Betsy Penn survived Jeff by nearly twenty years, during which time she became increasingly involved in philanthropic and community activities.

[4] The house and related buildings, and ultimately the internal furnishings, were given into the trusteeship of the University of North Carolina System in 1965.

Three years later Calvin Phelps, the founder of Renegade Tobacco Company, in August 2006, acquired the estate, claiming he intended to build a replica in Davie County.

He could sell his cigarettes more cheaply until the government began requiring exempt tobacco companies to pay "escrow" fees.

[13] Farmland adjoining the property is still operated as an experimental agricultural station by North Carolina State University.