Old Salem Hires Director of African American Programs
Contact: July 14, 2010
Lauren Werner
Old Salem Museums & Gardens
336-721-7329
Old Salem Hires Director of African American Programming
Old Salem Museums & Gardens has announced the appointment of Cheryl Denise Harry as Director of African American Programming to support the educational mission of Old Salem by enhancing the African American program in Salem.
“The addition of Cheryl as Director of African American Programming to Old Salem’s staff will enable us to continue to bring awareness to the culturally significant site at Historic St. Philips, as well as conduct research that will result in an African American Research Center. Cheryl brings a broad range of experience and knowledge to Old Salem and we look forward to an expanded and diverse program offering at Historic St. Philips.” said Lee French, President & CEO of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
A graduate of A&T State University, Harry has a long association with community outreach programs that make her well suited to lead the efforts at Historic St. Philips, and other African American programming at Old Salem. She has served for numerous years as the Director of Programs and Development at Union Baptist Church, and was the Youth and Community Development Director for the YMCA of Greater Winston-Salem. Harry was also the Vice President for Community Outreach for the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and is the founder and Director of Triad Cultural Arts. Cheryl is married to Miles C. Harry and has two sons, Micah and Marcus.
Harry will assume her new duties on July 26th as a Department Head within the Division of Restoration with offices in the 1823 Log Church. She can be reached in Old Salem at 721-7117.
About Historic St. Philips
Old Salem opened the St. Philips Complex in May 2004, after reconstructing the African American Moravian Log Church (based on 1823 plans) and restoring the 1861 brick church, the oldest standing African American Church in North Carolina. The complex contains the reconstructed log church, the original 1861 brick church, and the African American graveyard.
About Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Old Salem Museums & Gardens is one of America’s most comprehensive history attractions. Its museums — the Historic Town of Salem and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), — along with award-winning heirloom gardens, engage visitors in an educational and memorable historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South. The Old Salem Visitor Center is located at 900 Old Salem Road. The Web site address is www.oldsalem.org and phone number is 336-721-7350.
