Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Mary Magdaline Ridley Winchester was among the settlers of Swain County who became influential in how many people knew her, her large family and her lengthy life. Her legacy is honored in a portrait titled “Matriarch of the Smokies” painted by Rudolph Ingerie, who himself was known as the “Painter of the Smokies.” The painting is currently on loan at the Swain County Heritage Museum & Visitors Center.
Mary Winchester was born in 1848 and married Jonathan William Willoughby Winchester. The couple moved from Rabun County, Georgia, to Swain County in 1890 and operated a general store in Lauada. They had 10 children, 50 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, with many Winchesters still living in Swain County today. She was one of the oldest people in the area when she died in 1942 at the age of 94.
In the portrait, she is in her mid-70s or mid-80s.
Ingerie gifted the portrait to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ingerie visited the Smokies and painted primarily landscapes in his time here from 1920 to 1950.
On Thursday, June 20, descendants of Winchester gathered on the second floor of the heritage museum to see the portrait and meet with Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-11) and members of his staff.
Previously, the painting was on display at the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center, but for years had been in archives after the building was remodeled, which made it challenging for family members who wanted to see it, as it was by appointment.
Members of the Winchester family took an interest in wanting to have it on display, and Madeline Lehman with the Congressman’s office advocated on the family’s behalf and helped coordinate the effort with the Department of Interior.
Congressman Edwards said this was the first request like this his office had ever received, and that Lehman’s success was a testament to his team’s motto of being “first in constituent services.”
The painting is now on loan to the heritage museum for six months.
“At that point, we don’t know what’s going to happen. We really need a place for this and so many others, it’s a museum piece— that’s so important,” said Charles Winchester. “This is a temporary opportunity for family and county people to see it.”
He asked the Congressman to help to procure potential grant funds to open such a museum in Swain County.
The portrait was up in time for the annual Winchester family reunion held the second Saturday in June.
Elise Bryson, on behalf of the heritage museum, said the National Park Service was “gracious in lending it to us” and said they hung the portrait and made sure it was up before June 9. “A lot of family members came through to see it; it was very timely.”
The museum is in the historic courthouse on the corners of Everett and Main Street in downtown Bryson City. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.