Sunday, June 24, 2012

Old Salem Tour of Timothy Vogler Gunsmith Shop

Timothy Vogler Gun Shop at Old Salem © Katrena
The Timothy Vogler Gunsmith Shop is one of the historical shops we visited on an Old Salem tour. The town is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina near Business 40 in Forsyth County. Those looking to learn about Moravian culture won't be disappointed as visitors have the opportunity to experience history as it is interpreted by professional guides in buildings that have stood for nearly 200 years. We decided to visit the gun shop after touring the St. Philips African Moravian Church and graveyards.

Historical Gunsmith Shop in Forsyth County © Katrena
If you look up while approaching the front of the building, it is easy to see that this is the gunsmith shop because a large gun is attached to the front. Built by Timothy Vogler in 1831, we found it interesting to learn that his family lived in the small shop for a while. I could imagine the challenges and yet unexpected blessings that might accompany living in such tight quarters...and probably a nice incentive to continue working on the homestead next door!

Looking at Guns in Old Salem © Katrena
The guide showed us several different older guns and explained how these may have been used in Old Salem. Quite a few gun-related accessories were in the shop, and we had the opportunity to learn about how to load and shoot the guns of the time. The kids didn't recognize the term "half-cocked," but I did and found it interesting to have a mental picture of that term. I would think that the hunters of that time had to be a pretty good shot. They probably rarely had second chances!

Learn How Guns Were Made in Moravian Village © Katrena
Various parts of guns in different stages of completion were in the shop. Several personal, artistic touches are added, and the guide showed us how one might identify a gun made from this shop. Quite a bit of precision goes into making a gun by hand, and a gunsmith had to be skilled at working with wood as well as metal.

Skeleton Keys at Old Salem © Katrena
People who love small details will be thrilled here. A plethora of items are displayed. I could not help but notice the skeleton keys hanging by a window. I liked the unusual and practical way in which tools were hung around a wooden log by a leather strap as well.

Tools of Gunsmith Trade © Katrena
Mr. Vogler practiced his craft here until the 1890s. Although the building was later enlarged and used as a residence for a while, in 2002 it was restored back to its original splendor.

Old Guns in North Carolina © Katrena
I was particularly impressed with how the guide engaged the kids in conversation, encouraging them to think, offer their own ideas, and ask questions. Although this building was one of the smallest on the tour, it was quite informative and interesting.

Gunsmith Shop in Winston-Salem © Katrena
Find more great family-friendly travel ideas at the Travel NC With Kids site map.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Old Salem Tour of African American Church and Graveyards

Reconstructed African Moravian Log Church © Katrena
The African American church and graveyards were the first stop on our walking tour of Old Salem. A knowledgeable tour guide greeted us on the front porch of a reconstructed African Moravian log church and invited us to come inside.

African American Woman at Old Salem © Katrena
African American Musician from Old Salem © Katrena
Upon entering, we noticed statues, paintings, and silhouettes positioned throughout the room. These were depictions of various African Americans who were buried in the adjacent graveyard. Each one had a story that was told in a recording. Visitors could pick up a receiver that looked like a phone and push a button to hear each person detail his or her life. A short paragraph also described each person.

Lives Memorialized at Old Salem © Katrena
The people featured were quite interesting, from a newborn infant to a man who had lived to be over 100 years old. Each story was unique and pieced together by records found at Old Salem. I found it interesting and a bit unusual that each person's tombstone was encased near the statue or painting. Tombstones aren't typically removed, yet we discovered later why these stones would be found in the building rather than marking each grave outside.

Artwork in African Moravian Log Cabin © Katrena
If you look up, you'll see interesting artwork near the ceiling, and these images also appear in the accompanying short video about African Americans at Old Salem. The video had captions for visitors to read, and my 8-year-old enjoyed reading each one, but a few of them were a little too long for her to read before the next page would appear, but the video was quite informative and provided a wealth of information about life for African Americans who lived in this Moravian community.

African American History at Old Salem © Katrena
At one point in Old Salem history, African Americans were rented from the church rather than bought and sold to individual families. Perhaps renting a person seemed proper at the time. A recent formal letter of apology by the church was also shown on the video.

After exiting the back door, our guide lead us toward North Carolina's oldest standing African American church. St. Philips African Moravian Church was originally built in 1861, with an expansion added in 1890.

Tombstone in Stanger's Graveyard at Old Salem © Katrena
The yard in front of the church was the graveyard for many of the African Americans who had lived and died in Old Salem between 1816 and 1859 and also served as the community's graveyard for strangers, who were folks who lived nearby or were traveling in the area who did not profess to be Moravians.

Archaeological Digs Reveal Resting Places at Old Salem © Katrena
Tombstone Marking African American Grave at Old Salem © Katrena
Although at least 131 people are know to be buried in this yard, only one African American tombstone lies in its original place. The other grave markers simply identify the people buried as either a child or an adult. Our guide explained that earlier efforts to "beautify" the yard included pulling up the tombstones and placing them under the church.

Tribute to African Americans at Old Salem © Katrena
Later, this was determined to be disrespectful to the souls buried in the yard and archaeologists have been trying to piece together the history at least to the point of identifying each grave's location. A large stone rests directly in front of the church that contains all of the names and epitaphs and any known information about the 131 persons known to be buried at this location. This also solved the mystery of the tombstones now located inside the log church.

St. Philips African Moravian Church is still in use as the congregation that typically meets at another location will hold services on fifth Sundays. The original light fixtures still hang from the ceiling. The sanctuary houses some beautiful ornate antique chairs and an antique piano at the front. Pews have a dividing line down the center – rules of those days dictated that women would sit on the right while men would sit on the left.

My girls were excited to have the opportunity to climb the stairs to a sort of loft area. The pew upstairs facing the front of the church may have seated the choir or congregation members who played instruments. The center of the room upstairs contains chairs set up to resemble a Sunday school room, and records of attendance and a large collage containing pictures of descendents gives faces to some of the folks who have deep roots in Old Salem.

An old cookstove is on display downstairs, complete with a beautiful old teapot. The stove looks to be in excellent condition. My 4-year-old would have loved to have played with that stove! Across the hall from this room lies more history. This front part of the church was added above existing graves in the stranger's graveyard, and one section of the floor has been replaced with glass so that visitors can glimpse some of the graves below.

Stranger's Graveyard Under Church Viewed Through Glass Floor © Katrena
I found it sobering to see the simplicity and sorrowful history found in the African American section of Old Salem. This graveyard served as a sharp contrast to God's acre at the other end of our Old Salem tour. This section also may remind us of the resiliency of African Americans and their capacity to love and forgive, I'm glad to see that many of their ancestors now have a "voice" to share with others.

Find more of Katrena's articles at Travel NC With Kids.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

J.F. Hurley YMCA – Have a Blast in the Splash Pad!

Splash Pad at Salisbury YMCA © Katrena
The J. F. Hurley YMCA, located at 828 Jake Alexander Blvd in Salisbury, NC, is one of my kids' favorite destinations when the weather gets warmer. Their splash pad is fabulous!

Water Activities in Rowan County © Katrena
This colorful fun water play area typically opens around Memorial Day and is a favorite cooling off spot for quite a few kids and adults. If you happen to be the first group to arrive, the kids might be disappointed if they don't see any water. It is motion-activated, so once everyone is walking around the splash pad area, everyone is likely to get wet quickly. Summers in the South can get as hot as corn on the cob cooked on a grill, and a playground that spouts water can entertain and cool the group as nicely as a glass of lemonade with ice on a front porch swing.

Fun Things to do in Salisbury NC © Katrena
Splash pads can be a little intimidating for smaller kids, but there are several spots that have shorter sprays that might beckon the little ones more readily. They have a nice variety of different types of sprays, from one that shoots a stream almost across the splash pad to shorter ones that seem to make a tunnel.

Water Fun at J.F. Hurley YMCA © Katrena
Some jets shoot water straight up in a circular fashion, and it can be fun to stand in the middle and watch the fountain rise around you. If you happen to have children who want to get drenched, they quickly discover that the buckets in the middle will fill that request.

Ways to Cool Off on Hot Summer Days © Katrena
Those who would rather watch have lots of choices for seating, from lounge chairs to picnic tables. Several large umbrellas provide shade for ones who need a little less sun. Some seating areas are completely dry while a few are in range of some mist. And then of course there are the kids that learn they can angle the spray at Mom!

Splash Pad in Piedmont of North Carolina © Katrena
Those who have a membership at another YMCA might wish to inquire about the A.W.A.Y. program. This and many other Ys may offer free or reduced entry into the facility if you have a Y membership elsewhere. Many YMCAs also offer financial assistance. My kids have particularly enjoyed this splash pad in addition to their indoor pool.

Looking for more splash pads in the area? Dan Nicholas Park and Village Park also have splash pads. Find even more fun family-friendly summer destinations at the Travel NC With Kids site map.

Fun Summer Activities in Salisbury NC © Katrena

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Peggy's Playground at Sloan Park – Fun Place to Play in Rowan County

Playground at Sloan Park in Rowan County NC © Katrena
Sloan Park, located at 550 Sloan Road near highway 150 in Mt. Ulla, North Carolina, offers a nice variety of family-oriented outdoor activities. My kids enjoy playing in Peggy's Playground, with equipment given in honor of Peggy Stiller and dedicated on April 2, 2000. Admission to the park and playground is free.

Fun Things to do in Rowan County NC © Katrena
The generally peaceful and quiet playground has a nice variety of fun equipment located below the main parking area. They have several small swings and areas for climbing and sliding. A large field is adjacent to the playground, which can be a fun place to throw a Frisbee or practice throwing a ball. They also have a softball diamond on the other side of the wooded area.

Playground with Lots of Shade in Piedmont of NC © Katrena
The play area has several shaded areas with benches under the trees, which can provide a nice break for the adults who are watching the kids. Restrooms and water fountains are located on the other side of the parking lot.

Creek at Sloan Park © Katrena
A very short trail to the left of the playground will take visitors to a bridge over a creek. A couple of picnic tables are located at the edge of the creek. Several other walking trails meander around other parts of the park as well.

See Water Wheel at Sloan Park Kerr Mill © Katrena
My girls love to watch the water wheel turning on Kerr Mill, a grist mill that was built in 1823 that was later converted into a museum. The sound of the wheel can be quite peaceful and calming. Those wishing to tour the museum may wish to contact the park before making the trip.

Walking Trail and Bridge at Sloan Park in Rowan County © Katrena
Sloan Park encompasses nearly 100 acres with several walking trails and flower gardens that have been added over the years. This park offers a quiet interlude with lots of open space, giving the kids a variety of opportunities for creative play and active exercise and the chance to see a variety of wildlife such as native squirrels and birds.

Peggy's Playground in Sloan Park in Mt. Ulla NC © Katrena
Visit the Sloan Park page of the Rowan County Parks and Recreation web site for directions, hours, and more. Those visiting Sloan Park might also consider seeing the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville or Village Park in Kannapolis. Check out the Travel NC With Kids site map to find other great family-friendly travel destinations in North Carolina.