On Saturday, August 1st, Old Salem will kick off our Summer Science Scavenger Hunt! Sponsored by Novant Health, the scavenger hunt allows families to collect science facts as they tour the historic district—scavenger hunt materials available with your ticket at check-in. Young scientists who complete the Scavenger Hunt will received a prize when they present […]
Scouts of all ages with Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA are invited to Old Salem for a fun-filled day of history and skill building. Scouts will engage in a variety of activities throughout the historic district to earn a coveted Old Salem patch while also fulfilling requirements for badges within their own […]
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 dry-seeded […]
Early American artists navigated rapidly changing political and social landscapes, while holding a unique responsibility: documenting a nation in flux. As we commemorate America's semiquincentennial, this seminar will explore the ways that artists in the colonial and early American periods utilized subjects, color, and technique to reflect on an emerging nation and create a burgeoning […]
Join our very own Old Salem photographer Haley Bowers for another amazing workshop teaching you how to take incredible photos – no fancy cameras required! This workshop in our 2026 Smartphone Photography series focuses on fall-blooming flowers and the autumnal harvest on the grounds of Old Salem. Whether you are a beginner or looking to […]
Reflect on the myriad ways that indigenous peoples influenced the decorative arts of the South with this MESDA Spot Talk. This guided tour is included with standard admission.
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 not only get their hands on the clay, but also sample a traditionally made apple tart, and receive […]
American colonists and Americans in the new republic experienced one constant: change. From changing political identities, geographic boundaries, and conceptions of freedom, American lives constantly evolved. This seminar will explore the ways that craftspeople and cabinetmakers navigated this ever-shifting political and social landscape and the ways that they reflected shifting American and European tastes and […]
Learn how southern women exercised power in the early American South. At 3:00 PM, join us to learn about the haube, a cap traditionally worn by Moravian women. The haube was not only intended to be functional, but was also tied with a colored ribbon indicating her "choir", or social class. However, the women of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join Old Salem's night watchmen on their lantern-lit nightly rounds as we investigate true stories from the records...stories of spirits and fires, of ruffians and corpses! Experience the original building where these mysteries and tragedies took place, and step into a time of instability and many unknowns. Learn about Salem's most famous legend, as well […]
