Old Salem NC Holiday Open House Offers Great Christmas Sneak Peek!

Old Salem in Forsyth County NC Offers Look at Moravian Culture ©Katrena

Step Back in Time at Old Salem in Winston-Salem NC ©Katrena

Old Salem, located in the heart of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, provides a step back in time as visitors can get a glimpse of Moravian culture of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Salem Holiday Open House is held annually on the second Saturday in November.

Trinity Moravian Church Bell Choir at Old Salem Holiday Open House ©Katrena

Those who are in the Christmas mood before Thanksgiving may enjoy the annual Old Salem Holiday Open House. Many people enjoy this annual event as a festive way to begin the Christmas season as visitors can speak to artisans, hear Christmas stories and live music, try making Christmas crafts, sample goodies, and more.

Christmas at Old Salem – Learn About Candle Tea ©Katrena

Old Salem also offers a wide variety of Christmas activities, such as:

• Christmas candlelight tours
• Symphony music, featuring Christmas music from the 19th century to present day
• Puppet shows with a Christmas theme
• Candle tea, held the first two weekends of December and hosted by Home Moravian Church
• Soulful Christmas, which features Christmas carols with a Motown style

Catch Christmas Spirit at Old Salem Holiday Open House ©Katrena

Guests of Old Salem may wish to purchase tickets to gain entrance to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and for a self-guided walking tour of Historic Old Salem, in which visitors gain entrance into several buildings to learn more about Moravian culture while speaking with costumed historians.

Learn About Handmade Crafts at Old Salem in Forsyth County ©Katrena

Guests of the Old Salem tour will see and interact with historical interpreters as they learn through this unique walking historical museum. Another choice for seeing Old Salem is with via a horse-drawn carriage. Riders have the opportunity to learn about the rich culture of the area during this unique guided tour.

Old Salem Artisans & Artists Teach as They Work ©Katrena

The general public may also enjoy walking among the various historical landmarks of Old Salem. Shops offer a nice variety of items such as Moravian stars, handmade soap, and bakery items. The Winkler Bakery, located at 521 South Main Street contains a huge oven that is approximately 200 years old.

Old Salem Bakery Has Huge 200-year-old Wood Heated Stove ©Katrena

The oven is still heated with wood, and can hold up to 98 loaves of bread. Visitors can smell the wonderful aroma of fresh baked bread and other goodies and perhaps get a free sample while enjoying a glimpse of a working oven from many years gone by.

God's Acre at Old Salem Offers Serene Atmosphere ©Katrena

Another must-see item on any tour of Old Salem is God's Acre, the Moravian cemetery. Visitors may stroll along this neatly trimmed and tranquil piece of land while admiring the beauty of nature. This peaceful place seems many miles away from the hustle and bustle of Winston-Salem.

Old Salem Cemetery Seems to Have a Pot of Gold in Its Midst! ©Katrena

Breathtaking Autumn Beauty at Old Salem North Carolina ©Katrena

In mid-November, those who stroll a short way into the Old Salem cemetery will be met with an awesome sight: a majestic Gingko tree that resembles a huge pot of gold when Fall colors are at their peak. The sight of this old tree is beyond what a mere camera can capture.

Horse Drawn Buggy Tour of Old Salem NC ©Katrena

Salem College is located in the Old Salem district, and Home Moravian Church schedules regular times in which the sanctuary is open to the general public. Several of the buildings at Old Salem are on the National Historic Landmark list, and the meticulous records of the Moravian people of the area have helped to preserve much of the history in Old Salem.

Artist Practicing His Craft at Old Salem NC ©Katrena

Those in wheelchairs or with strollers may need to avoid several of the sidewalks in the area as they are brick sidewalks and may have areas that are not level. Artists may frequent the walkways as Old Salem offers quite a few picturesque scenes, such as the famous waterpump on the square.

Huge Tin Coffee Pot at Old Salem ©Katrena

Visitors who are traveling back to Business 40 may notice a huge tin coffee pot a couple of blocks before crossing over the freeway. The coffee pot is said to have the capacity of 740 gallons and is now located in a traffic island that links Main Street, Brookstown Avenue, and Old Salem Road. This interesting landmark was made by Moravian brothers who owned a tin shop and is said to symbolize the joining of Winston and Salem, two towns that later merged to become Winston-Salem, NC.

Visitors with children may also wish to visit the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem, which is conveniently located between Old Salem and Business 40. Those who are traveling west on Business 40 may be able to catch a glimpse of the 31-foot Moravian star atop Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's North Tower on the left just a few miles from Old Salem.

Visit the Old Salem web site for a calendar of events, directions, history, and more.