Old Salem, North Carolina

This weekend, I was able to escape for a short time, about five hours to be exact, into the colonial era. Old Salem is a Moravian community (established 1766) located in Winston – Salem. This is one of the best spots to visit if you’re interested in history. But, this is no usual colonial town. I was amazed to find how different the community really compared to Williamsburg or Sturbridge. Old Salem was very much a planned community. They believed in equal education and is home of the oldest woman’s college, Salem Academy and College.

It was wonderful. I started at the Vierling House, the town physician, were I got a more in depth look at herbal medications and surgical techniques. It also helped that one of the guides was so amazing handsome with his light blue eyes and light colored hair. *sighs* Hey, I’m only human!

I also got to learn a lot about cooking techniques including roasting meat by placing hot embers on the lid of a roasting pot and how they create and store meat pies for winter. The bakery is a must go! They bake everything they sell, each loaf and cookie a master piece. And the Salem Tavern Restaurant has to be the best! It has wonderful, wonderful food and atmosphere. Though, the tables are placed tightly together, but it’s so worth it. Highly recommend the gingerbread with lemon ice cream for dessert.

I loved the Single Brother’s House. This large building served as a home and spiritual center for the unmarried men in Old Salem. As you walk through its halls, it showcases the various trades the young men could learn including carpentry, working with tin and pewter, and tanning.

Now, I have to mention also the Salem Tavern (not the Restaurant, but the historical building itself) was once were President George Washington stayed. It was fascinating to tour the rooms and picture him writing his address to the town during his stay.

What was most inspiring for my WIP was the Log Church, the exhibit of the African American congregation. Here you stepped into the lives of several people who are buried in the church’s graveyard. It helped me to understand and build one of my characters’ histories, even explain some of the traumas that occurred during his life.

To finish the day, I stopped by the Brick Church graveyard. As I read the interruptive sign, a feral black cat came strolling up to me. He stopped in front of me, letting me pat his smooth fur. Once he had his fill of love, he paused by the graveyard gate, gazed into the yard, and then disappeared by the Log Church. I know of the legends of black cat crossing your path, but to me this was a good sign – perhaps even lucky (I can hope).

It was an amazing day! And I will definitely be returning one day! But, for now, it’s time to move onto Monday and onto my homework, writing, and Meet an Author Monday.

Meet an Author Mondayhosted by Confessions of a California Cheer Mom! 

Here’s how Meet an Author Monday works:

READERS: Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many “new to you” authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well.  Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog!  We’d love to chat with you!

AUTHORS:

• Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
• You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
• Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don’t create a post for the hop, your readers won’t have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
• The purpose of the hop is to meet “new to you” authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
• If you’d like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.
• If you have a WordPress blog, feel free to email me for the code.