Autumn in Historic Old Salem (Through November)
Article Published by: visitwinstonsalem.com
Touted as one of the best fall leaf peeping spots in Central North Carolina, Old Salem Museums & Gardens’ picturesque setting inspires leisurely strolls along the cobblestone sidewalks and lifelong learning discoveries in this 1766 Moravian settlement.
Old Salem has plenty of ways to experience the splendor of fall in Winston-Salem with beautiful autumn leaves, pumpkin carving, fresh baked apple spice pound cake from the country’s oldest continuously operating bakery, Winkler Bakery, and so much more. Plan ahead and snag a few heirloom flower bulbs at the garden shop at T. Bagge Merchant to enjoy next spring.
This fall in Old Salem, experience Salem Saturdays at your pace. Without the usual hustle and bustle of weekday school trips, Saturdays in Old Salem reflect much of how the town would’ve operated in the mid 1800’s. Visit the Single Brothers House to see the joiner working with period tools on items like new cabinetry for he Miksch House, or stools for the newly restored Boys School (among the oldest in the country!). Get your hands dirty with the potter, before needlework with hands-on quilting.
Inside the Miksch House, learn about 18th century hearth cooking practices as a costumed interpreter shares historic receipts (recipes) and how they’re oftentimes sourced right from the gardens behind the home — where another interpreter awaits to teach you how the produce in the garden differs from season to season, and which items you just might find on the menu at the Tavern in Old Salem.
For a friendly spook in a historic setting, plan your fall getaway around the Halloween weekend. Although Halloween was not part of the historic town of Salem, Old Salem celebrates each year with a variety of exciting events including trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving contest, and their popular Legends & Lanterns tours where you’ll hear about some of Salem’s ethereal personalities. Search Old Salem hotel packages here.
Art enthusiasts and history buffs alike find a treasure trove of some of the South’s best craftsmanship at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). MESDA at Old Salem Museums & Gardens is home to the finest collection of Southern decorative arts in the country. Internationally renowned, MESDA tells the story of life in the early South through an unparalled collection of early Southern furniture, ceramics, silver, paintings, textiles and other decorative arts. Discover beautiful handiworks in the self-guided galleries (free admission), or pick a time for a guided tour through the period rooms throughout the museum (included with All-In-One Old Salem admission).
About Scott Livengood
Scott Livengood is the owner and CEO of Dewey’s Bakery, Inc., a commercial wholesale bakery with a respected national brand of ultra premium cookies and crackers.
Previously, Scott worked at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for 27 years, starting as a trainee in 1977. He was appointed President of the company in 1992, then CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Scott has served on numerous boards including the Carter Center, the Calloway School of Business and the Babcock School of Management, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.
He started a new business, StoryWork International, in 2016 with Richard Stone. The signature achievement to date is LivingStories, a story-based program for improved patient experiences and outcomes in partnership with Novant Health.
