Join us on America’s 250th birthday for a special performance of one of our first American anthems. Psalm of Joy was composed for Salem’s first Independence Day celebration in 1783. A Moravian minister as well as a talented musician, Peter infused the work with themes of peace and thanksgiving. The piece blends accessibility with sophistication: approachable enough for community participation, yet clearly influenced […]
Get your hands on one of Old Salem's staples in baking and cooking: earthenware pottery! Learn about the press-mold pottery techniques that put the Salem potters on the map and see the bakeware in action. Participants will sample traditionally made baked goods cooked in earthenware dishes, plus get your own hands on the pottery! All participants […]
Join us for a guided look at our Revolutionary-era artifacts, many of which were produced right here in Salem! Many residents of the early American south chose to show their pride and patriotism through their art, and they used a wide variety of mediums to do so. From cross-stitch to metalwork, come see what early […]
Stroll through the garden on a guided tour to learn more about the Mallow plant family, get a closer look at similar structures, and discover which Mallows are present in our everyday lives! This guided tour will also be offered at the following time: July 18 | 1:00 PM This guided tour is included in […]
Our final concert in the Sounds of Salem series, each program contains brief anecdotes from the musicians, offering insight into the music you’re about to hear, its historical significance, and its connections to the Moravian musical tradition. This concert is about 1 hour and 30 minutes with a short intermission. From the historic Tannenberg Organ in Salem to the […]
Botany has been a well-documented hobby in Moravian towns for centuries, and schoolgirls were taught relevant botany skills in school. This program explores both the artwork and the botanical successes and failures of notable Moravian women of Salem in the 1800s. We will also give you the opportunity to try botanical documentation through watercolor. All […]
Join us for a special tour and lecture on building your own pollinator garden. Finish the three-part series with a packet of seeds – a mix of nectar flowers and host plants native to the Southeast for you to plant at home and attract butterflies to your own garden! Our gardens here at Old Salem […]
Back by popular demand! Join the Old Salem metalworkers to create your own pewter spoon. Pewter was a common material for dining ware in the 18th century. Come participate in the magic of casting and learn the skills of finishing fine pewterware, just like the residents of Salem in the 1700s. Participants will use traditional […]
The Gardens of Old Salem are more relevant today than ever. Examine how regionally adapted food crops, locally sourced native plants, and long-standing traditions of stewardship contribute to ecological resilience in the Piedmont and beyond. Through stories, images, and living examples from the gardens, audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for how Old Salem’s gardens […]
We welcome homeschool families year-round, but for those looking for a more personalized museum experience, our Homeschool Days are for you! Rooted in the Moravian educational philosophy that “all play has purpose,” these days invite homeschoolers to take learning beyond the classroom and explore the cross-curricular connections found in local history. On Homeschool Days, large […]
Join us for an introduction to the art and practice of seed saving. Drawing from our work stewarding the Historically Authentic Seed Collection, this program will explore how plants complete their life cycles, how seeds form, and how gardeners can collect, clean, select, and store seed for future growing seasons. Learn the basic differences between […]
Known for their composite flowers, the Asters are one of the largest families of flowering plants. From sunflowers to lettuce, cardoons to coneflowers, species of Asters have origins around the globe! Join us for a guided tour from our Gardens educators all about Asters grown in Old Salem, their uses, and more! This guided tour […]
