The 126th Annual Meeting of the Wachovia Historical Society was held last October 19, 2021 at Calvary Moravian Church. The meeting was livestreamed via You Tube and can still be watched online at your convenience at the following:
www.youtube.com – Search “Wachovia Historical Society”
Select the first video: Wachovia Historical Society – Annual Meeting – October 19, 2021
(The meeting can also be viewed on the website, by going to the “Events” icon on the new website.)
The 2021 meeting opened with the traditional musical prelude, featuring music from 19th Century Salem Academy teachers, Amelia and Lisetta Van Vleck and father. Performers were Glenn Siebert, tenor, and Robert Rocco, piano. Both Siebert and Van Vleck are professors at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Following the prelude, WHS President Michelle DeLapp opened the meeting. Pastor of Calvary Moravian, The Right Reverend Lane A. Sapp, delivered the invocation. Mrs. DeLapp reviewed the key projects for WHS, including the development of a new website; establishment of the WHS Guild by the Membership Committee; seasonal WHS Raffle programs to accomplish projects for the Society, including for 2021, decorating of Salem with greens for Christmas; and importantly, development of the Adam Spach Rock House Park. Additionally, Mrs. DeLapp announced that WHS has renamed its endowment fund for Robert Arthur Spaugh, who has been intimately involved with Wachovia through Old Salem Museums & Gardens as well as the Society.
The Adam Spach Rock House Park is a major project for the Society as 2022 begins, including the initial phase of an archaeology study, following by Phase II, a Master Plan for the park. The park will truly be a veritable “green” space with walking trails and places for people to gather and enjoy the beauty of this historic property. Additional emphases for 2022 include programs for youth (budding historians!) and long range planning. Nominations Committee chair I. B. Southerland announced new Board member David Bergstone, currently Manager of Salem Congregation of the Moravian Church, and a second term for current Board member Ed Hill. Appreciation was expressed to Board member Johnnie P. Pearson for his meticulous planning of our annual meetings and Archie K. Davis Award program.
WHS Board Member and long range planning chair, Paula W. Locklair, introduced our speaker for the 2021 meeting, Johanna Metzger Brown, Curator of Moravian Decorative Arts at Old Salem Museums & 
Gardens. Mrs. Brown’s oration was entitled “a place of peace and a dwelling of blessing: The Early History and Material Culture of the Salem Girls’ Boarding School,” prepared in recognition and celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Salem Academy and College. Mrs. Brown’s address was superb; we could have listened to her for hours; and her presentation was replete with historical stories and snippets and expertly selected pictures of scenes, buildings, and art, familiar to those of us intimately acquainted with Wachovia and the historic school. Happy Birthday, Salem Academy and College!
Last but not least, the 2021 Archie K. David Award for History was presented to Evva and Travis Hanes of Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies. Once again, the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Society lived up to its reputation for excellent historical narrative, music, and reporting of current activities and projects. \
by Paul F. Knouse, Jr.
Excerpts from the above article appeared in the Spring 2022 Edition of The Wachovia Tract.
