Why Old Salem matters
Founded in 1766 by Moravian settlers, the historic town of Salem lives on as the preserved and interpreted heart of Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Walk past restored buildings, gardens and working-history spaces that reveal how people lived, worked and shaped this community. The history extends beyond a single founding story: Old Salem interprets the experiences of Black and Indigenous people as well as the Moravian community.
Start at the Visitor Center
The museum's visitor center is at 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC. It's the natural first stop for directions, tickets and information about which interpreted buildings are open. The picturesque streetscape is part of the experience, but entry to many exhibits, buildings and gardens requires admission. Check the official museum website for current hours and tickets before visiting.
The town is the exhibit
As you explore, notice how the historic architecture sits along the streets: rooflines, masonry, doorways and the close relationship between workshops, homes, institutional buildings and garden plots. The place works best as a whole rather than a list of isolated photo stops.
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) provides another lens on the American South through the objects, furnishings and crafts of everyday life. St. Philips is an important site for understanding the history of Salem's Black community.
Connect the past with downtown
The Winston-Salem Strollway connects the Old Salem Visitor Center area with Fourth Street downtown. It is a particularly apt transition: the preserved town on one end and Winston-Salem's contemporary arts, restaurant and business scene on the other.
Continue into downtown Winston-Salem, or explore how residential communities such as Sunnyside–Central Terrace developed around the historic center.
Old Salem is a neighborhood, too
The museum sits within a living historic district: alongside the interpreted buildings are privately occupied homes, active churches, Salem Academy and College and independent storefronts. Old Salem's private houses can change hands, but ownership and protected historic exteriors differ from one lot to the next.
For a residential perspective—including a directory of museums, restaurants and shops, the history of Black Moravians, private-property questions and city preservation requirements—read the full Old Salem neighborhood and historic homes guide.
Questions before a visit
Is Old Salem a historic neighborhood or an attraction?
Old Salem is both a historic place and an interpreted museum destination. For a first visit, start with the museum's official visitor information.
Can you walk through Old Salem for free?
Outdoor streetscape access is different from admission to ticketed historic buildings and exhibits. Confirm current visitor policies with Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
Where is Old Salem?
The Old Salem Visitor Center is at 900 Old Salem Road, directly south of downtown Winston-Salem.