Old Salem

Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Salem was founded in 1766 by German-speaking Moravians. 

When members of the Moravian Church settled in the Yadkin River Valley in 1753, Bethabara was the first settlement. It was then followed by Bethania in 1759 and Salem in 1766. The Moravians owned a large piece of land called the Wachovia Tract of which parts were sold and the town of Winston was founded there in 1851. Winston and Salem were later incorporated together as what is now known as Winston-Salem.

Visitors can wander around the Old Salem district with its European small town atmosphere and take in history. The presevered architecture of these old buildings can be admired from the outside (for free). With an admission ticket, one may enter various buildings as part of the Museum experience and  learn more about the Moravian lifestyle. People in costumes re-enacted the life of these early European settlers through their storytelling and the various displays and projects.

The Winkler Bakery is the oldest continously operating bakery in the U.S. The Moravian cookies, traditional thin ginger cookies are a must-try. 

Old Salem Gardens continue the farming and gardening practices of the time. 

The beautiful Heritage Bridge is a covered pedestrian bridge and usually decorated with one or more Moravian stars. The bridge with its timber frame was built in 1999. Its architecture is representative of 19th century-bridges. 

The bridge connects the Old Salem Visitor Center with the Old Salem District. Learn more about the history and life in Salem. Admission tickets for entering the buildings can be purchased here.

The Moravian Star also known as the "Herrnhuter Stern" was originally developed by a math teacher to teach geometry in a Moravian boarding school in Germany.  Many children of Moravian missionaries lived in boarding schools separated from their missionary parents. Assembling these stars during the Christmas and Adventstime became a welcome distraction for the boys as well as a tradition. Herrnhuter Sterne aka Moravian stars can be seen all over in Germany during Christmas time, from homes to churches. 

The Moravian Star also became a symbol in Winston-Salem. Mainly displayed during Christmas Time but also throughout the year the Wake Forest Baptist Hospital (now  Atrium Health) displays a huge Moravian Star on its roof top every year. 

The Winston-Salem Open, the international tennis tournament held in Winston-Salem, also awards a Moravian star as a trophy.

MESDA -Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts 

Salem College

God's Acre