Freedom Day Celebration Event

Freedom Day Is Here!

Old Salem invites you to join in with our celebration of a massive historical event on Saturday, May 18th.

From 10 AM – 4 PM, ticketed visitors can tour our historic district, which will be full of themed interpretation and activities for the day.

At 4:00 PM a special program will be held for the public which will include performances and a special keynote lecture from our Living Legacy lecture series.

On May 21st 1865, The Chaplain of the Ohio Cavalry announced to the congregation of St. Philips Afro-Moravian Church and the residents of the surrounding area that slavery had been legally abolished and that they were now an emancipated and free people.

Programs will center around the African American experience in Salem, Afro-Moravian identity, and both emancipation and post-emancipation life for the African descended residents of the Wachovia tract.

  • Where: The whole district of Old Salem and MESDA. Afternoon lecture location TBA
  • When: Saturday, May 18th
  • Ticketed experience: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Open to the Public: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • How much: The programming from 10-4 is open to all visitors with a valid Old Salem Ticket. Make the most of it, by getting a membership, and come for the year!
Attending?(required)

Come partake in a story of Black Joy and learn how the Freedmen’s community became the foundation of economic prosperity in Winston Salem today.

This afternoon event will be open to the public with an optional donation. All donations will be dedicated towards the revitalization of the St. Philips Log Church Museum, so that we can continue shining a spotlight on the importance of the Afro-Moravian story all throughout the year.

Join us! And Happy Freedom Day!

Programming after 4:00 is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10. Members and those with an Old Salem daytime ticket need not donate at the afternoon lecture.