Have you ever wondered about those historic buildings not included in the Old Salem tour? On the first Sunday of each month, the Wachovia Historical Society Guild (WHSG) offers an event for lovers of Wachovia history—many of which are held in private residences.
Many Old Salem residents are eager to share their love for the history of their homes by hosting talks and Guild events. Cherie Gordon’s recent sponsorship of the Summer Raffle (for an overnight stay at The Zevely Inn) is a prime example. Recent raffle winner Barbara Strauss (see “WHS Raffles”) looks forward to a private tour of the Inn, a special talk on its history, and hors d’oeuvres as part of her overnight stay.
Attendance for Guild Events is limited to small groups, and participation fosters friendships. Each talk or walk is followed by hors d’oeuvres and chatting with your fellow patrons of history. Active membership in WHS (yearly dues up to date) is the only requirement for attendance, and monthly events are listed on the first of each month on the WHS website.
Past Events: 2023
May 7, Keynote speaker Dr. Ed Hill and Bethabara, the House of Passage.
Dr. Ed Hill addressed the reclaiming of the original site of Bethabara, the House of Passage, during the 1950s and 1960s under the guidance of the renowned archaeologist Stanley Stone. Bethabara’s original sites had been buried under six feet or more of dirt as part of efforts to use the land as farmland. Tour guides Andrew Craver and Dr. Stuart Marshall led groups to examine the sites recovered under Stanley Stone’s guidance. They discussed the methods Stone used for Bethabara’s return to its historic significance and the recovery work still to be done.
April 2, Michelle Lawrence’s The Remarkable Women of Early Salem
Presenter Michelle Lawrence, head of Salem AcademyHistory Department, traced women’s contributions to Salem’s development. Her talk includes Elisabeth Oesterlein’s early classes for girls through the education of slave girls and Cherokee girls taught at Salem’s Female Institute (now Salem Academy and College).
March 5:Nicole Crabbe and Adelaide Fries.
Librarian at MESDA and archivist brought WHS guests a delightful presentation on a fellow archivist, Adelaide Fries (1871 – 1949). Based on Nicole’s extensive research for her paper presented at the prestigious Bethlehem, PA National Convention, Nicole combined Adelaide Fries’ life work as an inspiration for keeping Moravian customs and traditions vibrant throughout Forsyth County
February 5: Dr. Jay Lester: The Shaping of North Carolina
North Carolina’s map authority, Dr. Jay Lester, examined how maps and surveys formed the boundaries of North Carolina with references to 18th-century British attempts to use maps to lay claim to areas they had no right to. Jay also shared his map collection as part of a tour of his home in Old Salem. In the Anna Johanna Vogler House, Judy Lester added much to entertain guests with the ownership history of the house over the past two centuries.
January 8: Barbara Strauss, Follow the Music
2022 Archie K. Davis Award winner Barbara Strauss shared her 50-year love for Moravian music and the musical discoveries she uncovered while cataloging the music stored in the Moravian Music Foundation Archives with this Follow the Music Adventure.
Past Events: 2022
December 3: Moravian Market and the Hanging of the Garlands
November: Jerome Bias: Exploring the Influences on Salem Furniture Makers
October: Tailgate party: a chance for all event participants to reconnect before the Annual Event
September: A walking tour of Bethania’s vibrant Main Street and recent research
August: Historical and cultural context for events leading to Salem’s founding
July: The traditional Home Moravian Church celebration of peace on Salem Square,
June: celebrating Salem’s contemporary art
April: Narrative of the final group of Moravians who walked from Pennsylvania to Bethabara in preparation for the founding of Salem
March: A walking tour showcasing the renovations and restorations that preserved Old Salem’s historic district
Questions and suggestions? Let us know about speakers you want to hear and topics you want to explore. Contact Victoria Remishofsky at one of the following:
Email: ortonacademy@nullgmail.com Text or phone: 828.258.3499.