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Old Salem
by Renee Wright
An entirely different holiday tradition awaits visitors to the living history village of Old Salem, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Settled by Moravians in the mid-1700s, Old Salem preserves customs from Moravia and Germany.
Members of a Protestant sect that had suffered persecution since founder John Hus burned at the stake in 1415, the Moravians sought a peaceful harbor in many countries. With the grant of the 100,000-acre Wachovia Tract in North Carolina in 1753, they finally found a home.
They named their new town Salem, a word meaning peace.
[Visit www.moravian.org for more information on the history and customs of the Moravians]
Today, some 100 restored buildings make Old Salem the largest original historic district dating from the colonial era in the United States. Many buildings are open to the public, including an apothecary, a shoemaker and the oldest authentic working gunsmith's shop in the nation.
Costumed interpreters recreate life in the colonial village.
At the Winkler bakery, traditional Moravian ginger cookies and Lovefeast buns, plus many other goodies, are still baked in a wood-fired oven and sold to the public.
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), is located in Old Salem. Tickets to Old Salem include a guided tour of the museum which houses an extensive collection of furniture, crafts, and accessories from the colonial period to the Civil War, including entire rooms rescued from demolished buildings.
Several other historic buildings, including the Old Salem Tavern, the Winkler Bakery, the Moravian Book &Gift Shop, T. Bagge Merchant, and the museum store, do not require a ticket.
Visitors can tour the historic district in horse-drawn wagons and sample Moravian chicken pie and other traditional recipes at the Old Salem Tavern.
Multi-pointed Moravian Advent stars are the best known of the unique ornaments created by village craftsmen. Look also for angels and other figures made by the Old Salem tin-smiths.
Other traditional Moravian holiday decorations include wooden pyramids adorned with candles, greenery, fresh fruit, and Bible verses; decorated candles; paper Nativity scenes; and small trees hung with paper roses, apples, and ornamental cookies. Wreaths and garlands often incorporate apples or other fruit.
Thin Moravian cookies, flavored with ginger and walnut, make wonderful holiday treats or gifts.
Old Salem’s Christmas Open House is in October. Other special holiday events include two different Candlelight Tours of historic buildings, and Candle Teas at the Single Brothers House.
Children enjoy special holiday puppet shows, and visits from St. Nicholas and Christkindel. Visit www.oldsalem.org or call 336.721.7350 for details.
At the Single Brothers House, located in the historic district, the Home Moravian Church presents a traditional Candle Tea during the holiday season. Guests see candles being made, enjoy Lovefeast coffee and Moravian Sugarcake, then tour the "putz," a series of traditional holiday scenes. Visit www.candletea.org for times and directions.
Christmas Lovefeasts are held at the Home Moravian Church on Christmas Eve.
For other Holiday Events in Winston-Salem go to the website of Visit Winston-Salem.
For more on Moravian Christmas Traditions visit our CarolinasBest blog.
originally published in Square Dancing Today, 2003
Photo credits: Photos above © 2004 Renee Wright ARR. Photo at right courtesy of Old Salem
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