Old Salem, North Carolina

This past week, while visiting family in Winston Salem, North Carolina, I had the opportunity to breeze through Old Salem on a photo spree. The morning was cloudy and misty making an almost mystic backdrop for the images of this old settlement.

Salem was founded in 1766 by the Moravians – a Protestant faith that began in what is now known as the Czech Republic. The Moravians were missionaries who established an earlier settlement in Bethlehem, PA before beginning "Wachovia" in the North Carolina backcountry in 1753. In the Wachovia Tract of nearly 100,000 acres, Salem was the central administrative, spiritual, craft, and professional town surrounded by outlying congregations.

Although many buildings are now private homes, some display signs characteristic of businesses which may, at one time, housed traders and craftsmen.

The Village Bakery - the only building that was open for my 8 AM visit.

Bakery Interior - costumed characters, representing the 18th century

residents serve up coffee and delicious cakes, cookies and breads.

The Moravian Church and Salem residents kept meticulous records and accounts of their lives, their interactions, their buildings and landscapes, and their evolution into the town of Winston-Salem. These records, diaries, and accounts provide accurate details to tell the stories of those living and working in Salem.

An unusual entry to one of the private homes in Old Salem.

Salem residents were also well respected for their architecture and eye for detail. The architecture and landscape of Salem are still quite accurate, as many of the Historic Town buildings are original structures.

Gunsmith

Stable at the town commons area.

Step down from the street to the sidewalk.

The Old Salem Tavern features traditional Moravian favorites alongside contemporary fare.

Specialties include Sauteed Lobster Crab Cakes and Moravian Chicken Pie.

We've eaten here several times on past visits and return when time permits.

A grapevine arbor at the Old Salem Tavern provides ambiance for outdoor dining

when weather permits.

From the tavern keeper to the doctor, the Gunsmith to the boys’ schoolteacher, every person in Salem played a vital role.

A water pump, still in operation, in the Old Salem town commons area.