Day #2 - Old Salem and Mayberry

Old Salem

On Friday we headed to Old Salem, a historical section of Winston-Salem. Salem was founded in 1766 by the Moravians – a Protestant group of people that began in what is now known as the Czech Republic. The Moravians broke off from the Catholic Church even before Martin Luther. The community was made up of tradesmen and their apprentices. It was divided into “choirs”: married men, married women, single men, single women and children. Each group was represented by a colored ribbon. They were even buried in these choir groups.

Gunsmith Shop (is it just me, or does Dad look like Joe Paterno?)

A rifle in the early stages.

Cool fence.

The tavern was located on the edge of town to keep strangers from mingling with the local people. 

Tavern Barn

Fire Brigade

Grandma's Feather Bed

Baylie and the Moravian

Kitchen

Single Brother’s House (1769) - The choir for unmarried men, the Single Brothers’ Choir lived together in this building. Across the square was similar housing for the Single Sisters’ Choir. The Single Brothers lived, worshipped and ate in this building. This is where they learned a trade. They gardened, operated a bakery, a brewery, distillery, tannery and slaughterhouse.

This pump actually produced water!

Tannenberg Organ 1798

Notice that the black and white keys are reversed.

Wood carving shop (trying to get Dad to look at the camera long enough to take the picture is harder than you might think, see below). 

Mom and Dad with the sickle (the field is white…). 

Salem College 1772 - Schools for girls were rare in the early South. By 1788, families across the South were asking if their daughters could come to Salem to receive an education. The school still operates as an all-girl college and is the 13^th oldest college in the U.S.

Other Salem scenes

 Outhouse

Jalen checking out the outhouse.

 Mom tracting.

God’s Acre – Moravian cemetery where people still choose to be buried by choir group rather than by family. 

 

African Moravian Church

Mount Airy (Mayberry)
Next we headed to Mount Airy.

Home of the actor, Andy Griffith, Mount Airy served as the inspiration for the town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show. As we learned, everything in Mount Airy shuts down at 5:00 p.m. We got there at about 4:59.

We learned that the famous dish in Mount Airy is “pork chop” sandwich, not “pulled pork.” To be exact, “Pulled pork is barbecue. Barbecue is not something ya do, it’s something ya’eat.” Mom and Dad will have to go back for that one.

Day #3 - Yanceyville and Farm Country

Walking Tour of Yanceyville

"Gay 90’s" house of Reverend Barzillai Shufford Graves and his wife Miss Malli. Graves was a plantation and mill owner and a Baptist preacher.

Door on the house.

Dr. Allen Gunn House -  Dr. Allen Gunn, was influential in both the town and county, and was once offered the office of sheriff, in return for considerable cash, by Senator John W. Stephens. Unfortunately, the house has fallen apart while family members argue over who it belongs to. 

Front walkway.

Kerr Hotel and tavern – was issued a tavern license in 1838. It was later purchased by Dr. Bedford Brown, Jr., son of U.S. Senator Bedford Brown who practiced medicine here until he became a surgeon of the Confederacy. A Confederate veteran, John Kerr, operated the hotel from around 1890 until well into the twentieth century. The house is on the National Register as birthplace of Congressman John Kerr. 

Clarendon Hall 1842 - site of local balls, beautifully restored and lived in.

The sign actually says, "We Need Your Head in Our Business." (I like that you can see me in the reflection.)

Yanceyville Theater – currently playing “Gone With the Wind” (not really, I don’t think it’s been open in quite a while.)  

Detail on the courthouse.

Haralson House (known as the Clerk’s House because Paul A. Haralson was Clerk of Court from 1826 to 1841). This home is still lived in.

 

Old Jailhouse

Only jailhouse in the U.S. to have an indoor gallows. I couldn’t get a very good picture because of the glare on the window. 

One-room schoolhouse.

Richmond-Miles History Museum where Mom and Dad are volunteering a few days a month. (Mom figures she’ll be working while Dad reads up on all the history.) 

 

Dongola 1838 - built by wealthy tobacco planter Jeremiah Graves. It has been termed “the most pretentious farmhouse of the Piedmont.” Later converted for Carolina Pinnacle Film Studios.

Rucks-Kerr Cottage 1835 - Josiah Rucks was a coach maker and operated the adjacent tavern (shown above). 

Cool tree.

Local market.

 

Had to take a picture of this one.

Summer Hill Farm

We then went to Tim’s farm to see where he lives. This was a truly remarkable place. It’s like he lives in another century (although he clarified that it is nice to have electricity, an indoor toilet and a microwave).

 

Baylie looking for a needle in a haystack.

Smokehouse

Cabin

Barn

Mom with a mourning ribbon and program from Lincoln’s funeral. (If any non-family members are still reading, my mom is descended from Lincoln and named for his mother – Nancy Hanks.) 

Tim’s "modern" kitchen where he eats. 

It’s not pictured here, but Tim even has a letter signed by Dolly Madison! 

Clarinet (for David and Ashley) 

Tar bucket (like the type that would have been used on Joseph Smith). 

Feeding the Cows

Next, Tabby, a friendly lady from the Caswell Ward let the kids visit their calves, all of which have been bottle fed and are consequently very friendly. They also got to pet a horse and a donkey. Dad was a little disgusted that my kids didn’t know what to call a corral.

That night we had an impromptu birthday party for Baylie. Unfortunately, the pictures didn't turn out very well.

We had an awesome visit and it was hard to say goodbye.