Monday, November 11, 2013

old salem in autumn

One of my very favorite things to do in autumn is to visit Old Salem. When the leaves are turning and just starting to fall, when the morning air has a crisp bite to it, I want to grab a wooly sweater and go walk the cobblestones and pavers smoothed with age, crunching my feet in the leaves.
 

 
Salem was founded in 1766 by the Moravians who set up an earlier community in Bethlehem, PA and then moved to North Carolina to establish the community of Wachovia in 1753. The small community is now a mix of original buildings that are open to the public and private residences in the beautifully maintained old homes. A very active Moravian church and the beautiful campus of Salem College are also a part of the village.


The air is filled with the scent of fresh bread and warm cinnamon so a visit to the Winkler Bakery is a must. The deep dome oven is still heated with wood just as it was 200+ years ago, and the master baker is more than happy to talk to you about his craft as he pushes his heavy wooden paddle into the deep oven to move the baking breads, cakes and cookies around to ensure a perfect product. It's a real treat to get a loaf of bread, warm sugar cake or those famous paper-thin molasses cookies and sit outside to enjoy the fresh treat.



Though the Christmas season is also a special time there, with bees wax candles in every window, fresh greens on most every door and old Moravian and German ornaments on display every way you turn, I still enjoy autumn in Old Salem the best.


7 comments:

Tracy Altieri said...

What beautiful autumn photos!

Cheri said...

Your photos are gorgeous Bev! Old Salem looks like a very pretty little town. And we have the Moravian Tile Works factory still here in Doylestown PA - did a photo walk there a couple of years ago.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

It is so special to visit a historical town. The fall colors must have been spectacular there..Happy Monday..Judy

S. Etole said...

Fascinating photos and such a cute little doggy in the window.

Menthe Blanche said...

I love this series of photos. Makes me want to go there!

C-ingspots said...

I've never been to the East coast, but I love old towns rich with history! I really enjoyed the visit to Old Salem, which I'm assuming is Massachusetts (?) home of the witch trials of old. Beautiful place! Thank you for sharing.

simply bev said...

Actually, it's North Carolina! Yes, it's a lovely place to spend the day.