Old Salem Tour of Single Brothers' House in Winston-Salem NC

Pipe Organ at Old Salem © Katrena

The Single Brothers' House was another memorable stop on our tour of Old Salem, located near Business 40 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was one of the larger buildings on the tour. Unmarried Moravian men in Salem would live here together. They would learn a trade and were often mentored, perhaps for several years. I can imagine that these men were quite adept in their chosen trade.

Single Brothers' House Tour in Old Salem © Katrena

The Moravians often created functional items that could save time and tended to focus on quality, as evidenced by the amazing number of buildings and many household items that have survived through quite a number of generations. The Moravians of the area also seemed quite innovative and seemed to have a thriving community years ago, as evidenced by many detailed records of various community members.

Old Painting on Old Salem Tour © Katrena

Visitors are invited to sit in rows of wooden seats similar to what one might find in an older church while speakers talk about how unmarried men would live and learn together in this home while unmarried women in the community would live in a separate building. This room also housed a variety of old paintings.

Learn Moravian Culture at Old Salem © Katrena

The guide showed various ribbons that women would wear to tie their bonnets. These were color-coded to indicate whether they were single, married, widowed, etc. The ladies who work in the various buildings on the tour wear period costumes, so my kids were watching to see if they could remember what the colors meant. I suppose the men in the community years ago watched those colors rather closely as well!

Learn About Music History in Old Salem © Katrena

One of my favorite parts of this the tour was having the opportunity to see the old pipe organ. I play the piano for my church, so it was particularly interesting to me to see this piece of musical history and some old hymnals and Bible. The keys on this pipe organ are black and white, but the colors are on the opposite keys that one usually sees on organs and pianos today. Old Salem houses the largest surviving Tannenburg pipe organ.

Fun Family Activities in Forsyth County © Katrena

One of my daughters was thrilled to have the opportunity to come up and tread the bellows. In other words, she was pumping a large stick up and down so that the organ would make music. The organ can now be played without treading the bellows or with the help of a young volunteer. Years ago, boys would tread the bellows upstairs in the attic. I can just imagine the congregation beginning to sing and wondering if the fellows upstairs were paying attention during the service!

Old Tools in Old Salem © Katrena

Visitors can look at several rooms containing quite a few supplies that represent several common tools and trades. The guides were happy to answer my daughters' questions as they looked at these pieces of equipment and supplies.

Cobbler or Shoemaker at Old Salem © Katrena

We also had the chance to meet a cobbler, someone who makes shoes. He talked about how he would measure a person's feet and showed us different examples of materials he used for making the shoes. Some of the guides wear shoes made on site, and he said that he gets orders for custom shoes on a regular basis. He also assured us that his shoes were actually quite comfortable and would last for many years.

Custom Made Shoes at Old Salem © Katrena

It was interesting to see the nice variety of colors, styles, and sizes he had in the shop. In those days, older children would hand down shoes to younger children who would hand them down to the next ones in line when they outgrew them. My youngest child did not think that was a very good idea!

Learn Cultural History in North Carolina at Old Salem © Katrena

The Single Brothers' House houses a lot of history and gives visitors a chance to learn quite a bit about the Moravian culture and how this group worked together to provide for the community and earn a living.

Additional articles about our Old Salem Tour:

• Blum House
• Tavern
• Gunsmith Shop
• African American Church and Graveyard
• Vierling House

Find more articles about family-friendly destinations in North Carolina on Katrena's Travel NC With Kids site map.

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.

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.