On
Common Ground
A campaign to revitalize and re-imagine the potential of Old Salem Museums & Gardens
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ometimes the best move forward is a thoughtful step back.
In time. In perspective. In principles. By knowing well and tending carefully the stories of our past, we strengthen our claim on a brighter, more enlightened future. Hard-tested wisdom and guidance— this is what history is generously speaking to us. The values forged by past generations absolutely give shape and meaning to our own.
What do we believe? What do we cherish? Where do we hope to be tomorrow and how will we arrive there? These are questions that last a lifetime, and they challenge us today as profoundly as ever. In searching for answers, we awaken the surest sense of what we value when we connect to where we’ve been. The past is not perfect, of course, but it is perfectly positioned to stir our deepest thoughts, feelings, and hopes. At Old Salem Museums & Gardens, early America is alive and well, thriving authentically in a way that soothes the spirit while challenging us to consider both the values we hold and those to which we aspire. From the gardener to the gunsmith, the surveyor to the slave, every individual in Salem shared common ground on which we now stand, too. It is an extraordinary gift from ordinary people. Our past, our present, our future.
Today begins here. OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
values reborn: Our story never stops beginning In this great community, with its long history of people achieving in business, science, society, and the arts, the spirit of Salem is reborn over and over. Just as the architecture of Salem was built to last, so were its fundamental values of hard work, honesty, innovative thinking, and respect for education. In every modern-day community success story— whether personified by a teacher, doctor, athlete, philanthropist or businessperson— we can see connections to the first settlers of Salem. Strong character, tireless commitment, and an optimistic belief in personal and social betterment—this is the common ground shared by the first residents of Salem and some notable hometown contemporaries.
Ludwig David von Schweinitz
Anthony Atala, MD
world renowned botanist ~ 1 81 5 salem, nc
world-renowned physician ~ t od a y w i n s to n - s al e m , n c
WHAT DOES A SCIENTIST in the 1800s who studied the medicinal benefits of mushrooms have in common with a physician pioneering research in human tissue regeneration 200 years later? Love of knowledge, ambitious curiosity, and a commitment to making life better for others through innovative, focused intelligence. Proud to be a link between the past and present, Old Salem honors these extraordinary men and their extraordinary aspirations.
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OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
On Common Ground
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Standing strong while sharing a dream
n 1766, after purchasing nearly 100,000 acres of land in the fertile Piedmont region of North Carolina, Moravian settlers from Pennsylvania established the new southern
town of Salem. Industrious and dedicated to their beliefs, these pioneer-spirited Moravians designed and built Salem to be a successful, commerce-focused community strengthened by strong religious and moral principles. Salem quickly grew to become a bustling, cosmopolitan town that valued education, encouraged cultural progress, and advanced its diverse economy through innovative agrarian and industrial technologies. Functioning as a theocratic village for almost a century, Salem ceased to be a congregation town in 1856 and then merged with Winston to form Winston-Salem in 1913. In 1950, community leaders spearheaded the beginning of the meticulous restoration of the original Moravian buildings, leading to the creation of Old Salem Museums & Gardens—a visually stunning, expertly reclaimed historic district just a few steps from downtown Winston-Salem. With the opening in 1965 of MESDA—The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts—Old Salem expanded its commitment to preservation and helped fulfill the vision of Frank Horton by creating the nation’s most renowned center of scholarship and material culture collections of the early American South.
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Settling is how it began
Not settling is how we thrive.
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OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
As the nonprofit organization that preserves, interprets, and advocates for this one-of-a-kind community treasure that is Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Old Salem, Inc., has been a trusted steward of limited resources in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
We are now facing one of the most critical junctures in our 60-year history. Without a full-fledged endeavor to ready Old Salem Museums & Gardens for new generations of visitors and friends, this beloved place risks losing pace with the accelerated rhythms of the modern world. With an open-minded and proactive response to pressing economic and social realities, our visionary Board of Trustees has approved
On Common Ground—a comprehensive campaign to revitalize the historic beauty, values, and potential of Old Salem Museums & Gardens and MESDA —in order to assure that our celebration of early America remains relevant and exciting in 21st century America.
Your generous support is essential to our success. Please learn more, ask questions, and become involved. On Common Ground
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Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts “Let me assure you, there is an awakening to the arts of the agrarian South. It is the purpose of this museum to recognize and study the decorative arts of the South, to publish material on the subject and, of course, to add scope to the interpretation of the Old Salem restoration program in Winston-Salem.”
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— Frank Horton, Director of MESDA, 1972
s important as scenic splendor and the promise of an authentic experience, the cultural and academic
importance of Old Salem Museums & Gardens is world-renowned. Housed in the magnificent Frank L. Horton Museum Center, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) safeguards an unparalleled collection of furniture, ceramics, textiles and other material culture made in the pre-industrial South—states including the Carolinas, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Cherished by historians and studied by scholars, collectors, and curators from around the country, MESDA boasts extensive research on Southern decorative arts and the people who created them. Old Salem Museums & Gardens is a rare combination of preservation and scholarship that includes unique access to history through landscapes, architecture, and objects that reveal an authentic view of early America and the South.
Comprehensive campaign priorities—including a research library and center, curatorial position, expanded programming space, and an auditorium —will strengthen the breadth of our collections and the depth of our scholarly research and writing.
Peter Wolle
Douglas Lewis
revolutionary educator ~ 1 8 1 5 salem, nc
respected headmaster ~ t o d a y w in s to n - s a l e m , n c
WHAT DOES THE HEAD TEACHER at the Boys’ School in early 19th century Salem have in common with the beloved headmaster of a modern independent school in Winston-Salem? A passion for learning, the ability to motivate young minds, and selfless ambition to help his community progress. Proud to be a link between the past and present, Old Salem honors these extraordinary men and their extraordinary vision.
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Where the past and future share common ground While visitors to Old Salem and MESDA value immensely the experience of going back in time as they walk our streets, study our collections, or step inside historic buildings, our promise to them must now go beyond existing as a mere window to the past. We must become a trusted path to what lies ahead for our nation as much as we are an authentic reflection of what came before.
On Common Ground
comprehensive campaign
Our mission at Old Salem is to tell vibrant stories that inspire people to learn from history and then think constructively about their future. To bolster the museum’s connection to the community—now and for coming generations— Old Salem Museums & Gardens will:
Broaden Old Salem’s story and connect it to the American experience. Without creating and nurturing ties to the present, the past loses relevance. Now is the time
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for Old Salem to prove how its many historical narratives meaningfully touch our lives today. In the context of early American dramas, we can better understand what we feel about the most pressing issues of our own time—from economic challenges to race relations to immigration policies. No less than we do today, the Moravians of Salem grappled with these same timeless themes of humanity, always aiming for the most ethical and feasible resolutions they could achieve without compromising their values. As Salem grew and evolved during a century of upheaval, its residents witnessed both the founding of our nation and the Civil War that nearly tore it apart. With so many individual stories of courage, tragedy, hope, and glory, Old Salem offers a perfect place to reflect upon the essence of what it means to be an American. By revitalizing the existing excellence and authenticity of the many diverse historic assets throughout Old Salem Museums & Gardens, we ensure a healthy future for this one-of-a-kind destination.
Indeed, we must build momentum from our
great history rather than rest upon it.
We now invite you to re-imagine a wonderful piece of American history
Yours.
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Become a favorite, familiar, and frequented destination.
Considered by many to be a beautiful public space where remarkable historic architecture coexists with quiet natural splendor, people often come to Old Salem to stroll or picnic without ever buying a ticket. Regarding the area much like a free public park, many individuals and families take for granted our openness and accessibility. Old Salem
Museums & Gardens must learn to meet the expectations of such visitors while also
providing them more opportunities to engage the museum in revenue-producing ways, such as cafés, shops, and a gardening center. We will also expand our event and performance programming to attract even more visitors. By nurturing and furthering the many relationships Old Salem already has, as well as making new ones, we will establish our suitability as an appealing “third place”—providing visitors comfort, entertainment, and satisfaction outside of work and home.
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Just as Salem was bustling with commerce and culture in the 18th and 19th centuries, Old Salem is ideally situated to be a source of fun and everyday living for people in our community today.
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Use innovative technology thoughtfully, strategically, and dramatically. Imagine discovering that your bank or hospital used outdated technology. How long would it be until you gave your business and trust to a more innovative competitor? Museums across the country are learning that it is essential to embrace technology across operations in order to engage audiences and donors successfully. Whether it’s to personalize and strengthen marketing efforts, maximize daily operational efficiency, or enhance the visitor experience through creative exhibitions that use technology to animate storytelling, Old Salem recognizes the importance of keeping modern as we preserve the past. Given our long history of innovation and adapting to the times, there is no contradiction with intelligent use of technology at Old Salem; in fact, to survive and grow, we absolutely must prove our connection and relevance to the world today. Alongside costumed interpreters and the delicious smells from the Winkler Bakery, we now must thoughtfully incorporate new tools that can stimulate as much as educate if we expect new generations of support.
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New Old Salem
Guided by these three overarching themes, we now begin a bold campaign to expand the common ground between Old Salem Museums & Gardens and our community. Indeed, Old Salem and MESDA can no longer afford to be considered mere windows to the past. We must become a trusted bridge to the future as well. With sound museum practices, a disciplined approach to growth, and, yes, generous contributions from our most loyal supporters, we now endeavor to adapt and expand our impressive resources while developing new ones.
Now is the time. Please join us.
Elisabeth Oesterlein
Copey Hanes
teacher and role model ~ 1 7 7 2 salem, nc
philanthropic visionary~ t o d a y w in s to n - s a l e m , n c
WHAT DOES A 23 YEAR-OLD WOMAN steering the education of young girls in colonial Salem have in common with a 95 year-old woman nationally renowned for her exceptional patronage of the arts and culture? Inspirational self-confidence, generosity of spirit, and the courage to take chances on bold ideas. Proud to be a link between the past and present, Old Salem honors these extraordinary women and their extraordinary contributions to our community.
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how it will happen:
Primary Campaign Goals In service of these three transformational priorities—broadening
the
scope of what Old Salem means, deepening its relationship with the community at large, and advancing how and where we use sophisticated technology—the On Common Ground campaign has identified the following critical funding needs. For more detailed cost analysis and projections of specific capital and programmatic needs, please speak with a campaign volunteer.
Endowed Positions To hire and retain distinguished professionals providing critical skills in areas of preservation, curatorship, programming, and education, which are critical for museum excellence.
Endowed Activities To create and sponsor concerts, lectures, festivals, and other targeted programming in order to bring more people and more diverse revenue streams to Old Salem Museums & Gardens. To fund critical legacy and core mission activities such as historic preservation and maintenance of structures and gardens along with well-established programs, conferences and seminars.
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OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
On Common Ground Flagship Capital Projects Transform the museum experience materially and strategically, breathing new life into existing facilities in order to entertain, educate, and enlighten visitors, thereby increasing both direct and indirect attendance.
Boys’ School Discover connections between 19th century educational ideas and today’s best practices. Structurally, the Boys’ School is in urgent need of overall repair, but we are equally committed to revitalizing the stories of this great community building, using creative interactive technologies and hands-on experiential activities.
Frank L. Horton Museum Center Create a proper, world-class research, exhibition, and programming facility for MESDA and Old Salem collections. Renovation of the Horton Museum Center will strengthen the breadth of our collections and provide depth and greater access to our scholarly research. Campaign priorities for the Horton Museum Center include an improved library and research center, a curatorial position, expanded programming space, and an auditorium.
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Visitor Center Enhance hospitality and visitor comforts while providing a reenergized and dynamic introduction to various preservation, education, and research opportunities. As our primary portal to the past, upgrade the efficiency of this facility and make it a vital part of the museum’s experience for all audiences.
Dr. Samuel Benjamin Vierling House Transform a beautiful and historic home into an active center of scientific exploration. The Vierling House, built in 1802 as the family home for one of Salem’s first physicians, is the perfect setting to establish a dynamic hub of scientific discovery and appreciation. With interactive exhibits and activities examining the local origins of medicine, public health, and botany, this exciting repurposing of a historic residence will help visitors understand the direct connection between long-ago achievements in science and the innovative, high-tech medical research happening today in hospitals and laboratories only a few miles away.
T. Bagge Complex Develop an exciting and vibrant commercial center and hospitality complex. Through the new T. Bagge Complex, we will provide ticketed guests as well as visitors more opportunities to engage in and enjoy the museum in revenue-producing ways, such as cafĂŠs, shops, and a gardening center.
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OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
Peter Oliver
Chris Paul
highly skilled craftsman ~ 1 8 0 7 salem, nc
athlete ~ t o d a y w in s to n - s a l e m , n c
WHAT DOES AN AFRICAN AMERICAN POTTER who purchased his own independence in the 1800s have in common with his great-great-great-great grandson and celebrated professional basketball player? Commitment to hard work, extraordinary tenacity, and the ability to inspire. Proud to be a link between the past and present, Old Salem honors these extraordinary men and their extraordinary accomplishments.
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The footprint of a town. The history of a nation.
Inspiration for us all.
W
hat began more than two centuries ago as a small Moravian town now stands
as a living monument to our shared past as well as a symbol of our bright future.
Old Salem is extraordinary because it lets us inhabit the ordinary lives of early Americans. Built on a backcountry tract of rolling terrain that was then called Wachovia, the town of Salem was a tight-knit community where people lived lives of struggle and joy as they tried to build new lives in this place we call America. With an independent spirit all its own, MESDA expands our perspective and deepens our understanding of these early settlers of the South by sharing the story of the objects they lived with and used in their homes. In many ways, the individuals and families of Salem faced the same challenges we do today. And whenever we can find common ground on which to build and evolve, we inevitably improve our story together.
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OLD SALEM MUSEUMS & GARDENS
with you, we will.
Thank you for your support and friendship.
600 South Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 1-888-OLD-SALEM (653-7253) 336-721-7300
www.oldsalem.org On the Cover: 1787: A View of Salem by Ludwig von Redeken 1953: The team for raising the funds to restore Old Salem (left to right) Dan Jennings, James Gray Jr., E.G. Green, Dr. Dale H. Gramley, J. Ed Gibson 2011: A woman from the Republic of Niger is sworn in as a U.S. Citizen in Salem Square on July 4th.
Back cover image by Mike Malaska