About the Museum
Living history museum preserving the 18th-century Moravian settlement. Features original buildings, costumed interpreters, and exhibits on Moravian culture, crafts, and early North Carolina Piedmont history.
The museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore local history through carefully curated exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. Whether you're a history enthusiast, researcher, or simply curious about the past, there's something here for everyone.
Historic Buildings and Authentic Experience
Old Salem spans more than 100 acres and features an exceptional collection where approximately 70% of the buildings are original structures from the 18th and 19th centuries. The site includes meticulously restored Moravian buildings, many of which are individually significant—notably the Salem Tavern and the Single Brothers' House, both designated as National Historic Landmarks. The Miksch House (1771), believed to be the first privately owned residence in Salem, offers an intimate glimpse into early family life as the home of the town's first baker. Visitors can explore the Blum House Joinery Workshop, John Vogler House, Boys' School, and the Doctor's House, each telling a unique story of Moravian daily life.
The site holds profound historical significance for African American heritage as well. St. Philip's African Moravian Church (1823, rebuilt 1861) stands as one of the oldest surviving African American churches in North Carolina, representing the complex history of race within the Moravian community and offering crucial insights into the lives of both enslaved and free people of African descent in the early American South.
Living History and Collections
What sets Old Salem apart is its vibrant living history experience. Costumed interpreters practice traditional trades throughout the village—tinsmiths, blacksmiths, cobblers, gunsmiths, bakers, and carpenters demonstrate their crafts while engaging with visitors. This immersive approach brings the Moravian settlement to life, allowing guests to witness firsthand how the early settlers lived, worked, and built their community. The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) houses the nation's finest collection of Southern decorative arts, featuring exceptional examples of furniture, ceramics, metalwork, needlework, paintings, and other arts made and used in the early American South. The Gardens at Old Salem complete the experience, showcasing period-appropriate plantings and horticultural practices that sustained the Moravian community.
Plan Your Visit
Old Salem Museums & Gardens is located at 600 South Main Street in Winston-Salem. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM (closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday). The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) is located at 924 South Main Street. For visitor information and tickets, contact the Visitor Center at (336) 721-7350 or call (336) 721-7300. Visit oldsalem.org for admission pricing, special events, and trade demonstration schedules.
Getting Involved
Support Old Salem's mission to explore the stories of Moravian, Black, and Indigenous peoples in the American South. Become a member, volunteer as a guide or tradesperson, or donate to help preserve one of America's most comprehensive history attractions where approximately 70% of the buildings are original 18th and 19th century structures.
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