photos by: DAN ROUTH, Courtesy of Old Salem’s Release
In celebrating February as Black History Month, Winston-Salem’s own historical treasure – Old Salem – invites you and your family to join in on a month-long tribute to the African American influence on the growth of the local Moravian community.
Nestled in the heart of Winston-Salem, the Old Salem historic district offers a beloved glimpse back at Moravian traditions in the 18th and 19th centuries, bringing to life the intricacies of daily living that influenced the community’s future growth.
During Black History Month, a visit to the popular Old Salem Museums & Gardens will greet you with themed interpretations throughout the historic district, mini lectures and specialty guided tours every Saturday throughout the month.
This special weekend programming will include “spot talk” lectures focused on Black History themes at the Visitor Center on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
Guided walking tours will also be offered on these Saturday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Known as their “Living Legacy” guided tours, these will be included free with Old Salem admission on Saturdays during the month of February. Families can come and explore authentic demonstrations and stories in our buildings, then meet Old Salem guides at 1:30 p.m. for a detailed guided walking tour, viewing the history of the town from the perspective of changes to Black History over time.
This “Living Legacy” program and Old Salem’s Hidden Town project are designed to research and reveal the history of African and African-descended people in Salem.
“We use these programs to celebrate Black History throughout the year and especially love to highlight them during Black History Month,” shares Director of Education Tara Logue. “Local Black History is key to the story of Salem and, later, of Winston-Salem as a whole. We love that the more you learn about the roots of it all and the stories of specific individuals, the more it puts everything else about our town into context. Whether you are looking at cultural influence or the industrialization of our region, you won’t get very far in your storytelling without the contributions of Africans and African Americans. That’s part of why our walking tours in February will be focused on a story over time. It creates a backdrop that you can place everything else against to provide a more comprehensive picture.”
Visitors are always encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and engage in one-on-one conversations with Old Salem’s interpretive staff. You can explore the unique stories of some of Old Salem’s most impactful community members this month and witness their true living legacies!
The lectures and walking tours are included with regular Old Salem admission, and guided tours offer a 40-person capacity.
Mark your calendars now for the following Saturday adventures at Old Salem during Black History month:
February 8th
February 15th
February 22nd
For the afternoon guided tours that begin at 1:30 p.m., visitors are invited to meet in front of the Frank L. Horton Center located at the end of the Heritage Bridge.
For more information and to purchase general Old Salem tickets, visit oldsalem.org. Old Salem Museums & Gardens is located at 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 336.721.7350. Follow them on Instagram for events and updates @oldsaleminc.
