Winston-Salem, the county seat of Forsyth County, is in the northern portion of North Carolina. The city is part of the Piedmont Triad along with the cities of High Point and Greensboro.
In the 27101 zip code area is the neighborhood of Old Salem, also known as Brookstown. Old Salem sits adjacent to Salem College. It is west of Winston-Salem State University but east of South Broad Street. Old Salem is south of the Interstate 40 Business Loop or US-158.
Whether strolling down the brick sidewalks of West Academy Street or walking along the shady walks of South Main Street, the neighborhood of Old Salem is both picturesque and rich in history. Old Salem is a mix of historic buildings, businesses and residences. There are several apartment options including The Owens on South Main Street. The Salem Congregation, one of Salem’s oldest Congregational Councils organized in 1772, owns The Owens.
The Old Salem Museum and Gardens are located off South Main Street. The properties include 100 acres, 80 buildings and 5 retail stores. Visiting the Old Salem Museum and Gardens is like stepping back into time. The exhibits include the buildings of St. Phillips, a reconstructed African Moravian Church and the Boys’ School on Southeast Academy Street. The Boys’ School was built in 1794, the first educational building built in the city.
The Old Salem Gardens are numerous and each has been reconstructed to a specific date in history. For example the Leinbach Garden was planted as it would have been in 1822 based on the journal entries of John Henry Leinbach.
Old Salem is also home to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA.) It features furniture, paintings and textiles that were used and made during the early 19th century in the American South.