A Day In Winston-Salem: Part IV - Old Salem Architecture Survey

I only spent an hour in Old Salem at most, but in that time (and in the rain) I managed to snap a few pictures that turns out to be quite the survey of architectural styles in the village from 1766 through 1895.


This is "First House" which was aptly named because it was the shared living space of the first settlers in Salem in 1766. There are five buildings like this all in a row and they were vibrant even in the rainy mist.


This is Miksch House & Farm, which was the first single-family home in Old Salem, established in 1771.


Here is the house for the Boys School, built in 1794. I love the roof of this building. It should be noted that nearby (but not pictured) is Salem Academy, which is one of the earliest institutions for female education in the US, started in 1772. It demonstrates the Moravians' dedication to educating both boys and girls. My cousin, who is a year younger than me, attended Salem Academy for high school - and it remains an all-girls school to this day.


Belo House, so named for Edward Belo, a cabinetmaker turned Iron Merchant in the mid-1800's, represents the shift in Salem at that time from a congregation-based, or community-based control to a new era of individualism, private entrepreneurship and a modern business community. This is only the side of the house, the front is three times as wide as this. He was a very wealthy man and it is noted that the town agreed to allow him to build this home independent of the town because he could "more than afford the $3,000.00 cost to build it".


Cedarhyrst was built between 1893-95 by Dr. Nathaniel Siewers, who had grown up in Salem, but went away to Germany for Medical School. Upon his return, he hired noted New York Architect Max Schroff to construct this home. The design was heavily influenced by the time Dr. Siewers spent in Germany and his immersion in the culture of folk art, medieval castles and revivalist architecture, similar to that of the Biltmore house, but on a much smaller scale.


Last, a photo of "God's Acre", the final resting place for congregants of the Moravian Church in Salem. It is unusual not only in its uniform flat lying white stone grave markers, but also in that the burials are organized by choirs of the Congregation. Meaning, all married men are buried together, all married women together, all widows together, etc. A beautiful, peaceful place indeed.
The entrance arch reads "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" and the sign next to the entrance reads - Salem Moravian Graveyard "God's Acre" 1771 - Please be reverent and respectful of this special place - Salem Congregation.