Salem Square

A Square Through Time

Situated in the heart of Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Salem Square has served as a central gathering space since 1766. This historic green space hasn't just witnessed history - it's been part of making it for over 250 years.

When Salem's founders laid out their town, they weren't just thinking about pretty views. They cleverly positioned the square to work with their ahead-of-its-time water system, completed in 1778, which used gravity to bring water throughout the settlement.

Surrounded by History

Take a stroll around Salem Square and you'll find yourself encircled by buildings that tell stories of bygone eras. Churches, schools, and shops frame this open space, which was intentionally designed to be the breathing room in the town's otherwise practical layout.

Over the centuries, the community has been careful to keep construction off the square itself, preserving its open character. When you visit, you can appreciate how this green heart connects to the historic structures that surround it in Old Salem.

Touches of the Past

At the southwest corner stands a reconstructed water pump and fountain - a reminder of just how innovative those 18th-century Moravians were with their water management. Along the western edge, you'll spot the Market-Fire Engine House, a reconstruction of the 1803 original that once served the dual purpose of selling fresh meat and storing fire-fighting equipment.

The simple green space itself offers something increasingly rare in our busy world - tranquility within a historic setting.

The Square Today

Salem Square continues its centuries-old tradition as a gathering place within Old Salem Museums & Gardens. It offers a glimpse into both Moravian heritage and early American life.

If you happen to visit on select Tuesday evenings in summer, bring a lawn chair and settle in for a treat. The Salem Band - which has roots going back to 1771 - fills the air with everything from classical compositions to swing tunes during their summer band concert series. These traditional concerts provide a nice contrast to our otherwise digital-focused lives.

Taking a Moment

No matter if you're exploring Old Salem on a guided tour or wandering on your own, the square offers a great spot to pause and take it all in. Sit on the grass, close your eyes, and imagine the conversations that have happened here across three centuries.

On any given day, you might see school groups learning about history, college students studying, or families enjoying picnics. Children still play on these grounds just as they have for generations, a reminder of the continuity of this space through centuries of change.