October 19,2021, the Wachovia Historical Society was pleased to present the 2021 Archie K. Davis Award to Evva and Travis Hanes, the well-known proprietors of Mrs. Hanes’ Cookies. Here is the text of the award presentation, which was delivered by Mo and Martha Hartley, winners of the 2011 Archie K. Davis Award. It is a…
With much excitement, members of Wachovia Historical Society watched in mid-March as the heavy equipment needed to clear the 6.27 acre Adam Spach Rock House site commenced clearing the undergrowth and dead trees from the site, making way for the upcoming archaeological study on the site. Since 1917, the WHS has discussed plans for a…
Some might say, “It’s a miracle!” Some might say, “The stars are aligning!” Whatever the perspective one may choose, the fact is that we are seeing events falling into place for the realization of a beautiful historic park at the Adam Spach Rock House property (see pictures at right) right outside the southwestern corner of…
Before the Industrial Revolution, merchants and artisans marked their shops outside by hanging symbols of their trade. While the custom survives in Europe, it is largely limited in the United States to places like Old Salem where the visitor can identify the signs of glover, gunsmith, and shoemaker. J. E. Mickey Shop at S. Main…
The recent discovery of a 3 x 6 ½” 1867 Moravian communion hymn book in the attic during the restoration of the Heinrich Herbst house in Old Salem is a fine example of the evolution of hymnals for different purposes. The selections in the newly found volume were probably taken from the 1851 hymnbook of…
The Young Men’s Missionary Society was organized in 1840 and began with specimens and information about natural history and cultural practices collected by a world-wide network of Moravian missionaries. This collection grew with the same kind of specimens and information from Salem and surrounding areas. Existing records show that at the time of the merger…
The Archie K. Davis Award, named for the late banker, businessman and scholar, is awarded by the Wachovia Historical Society to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to regional and cultural history. The first Davis Award was presented to Mrs. Louise Kapp. Other past recipients have included the late Chester S. Davis, the…
The Archie K. Davis Award, named for the late banker, businessman and scholar, is awarded by the Wachovia Historical Society to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to regional and cultural history. The first Davis Award was presented to Mrs. Louise Kapp. Other past recipients have included the late Chester S. Davis, the…
“Those of you who knew Archie Davis, know he had a great love for history and a deep respect for those who were writers and teachers of history. If you add to writer and teacher a person who also appreciates local Wachovia history and has been a leader in the Wachovia Historical Society, you have…
Gwynne Stephens Taylor (left) presented the Archie K. Davis Awardby Sarah Hunter (right).