Old Salem, continued & "Friday Flash 55 - "Love One Another?"

Love One Another?

Old Salem Tavern, a necessity

based upon need, not desire,

in 1784 banished to the edge of town

offering comfort to weary traveller.

"Freedom of worship", the Moravians cried,

but not "Freedom for all", not even for Salem

as many a head rested upon linen washed

by hands bound with invisible chains.

"Love one another ... "  ?

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, December 16, 2011

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This is linked to Mr. Know It All's "Friday Flash 55"  (a story in 55 words - no more, no less).

President George Washington did stay at the Old Salem Inn for two nights in 1791.  He was touring the southern battlefields of the Revolutionary War and while here attended a service and studied the waterworks system.

I asked a guide if they knew what room Washington used and they said as the rooms have been rearranged many times, they really didn't know.  My guess is if he stayed in this buidling (as another one was built next door to expand business and is now a restaurant) he stayed in the room depicted above.  It is on the main floor, and much larger and has its own fireplace and has room for a desk and eating table and was the closest to the dining area and bar.

Below is an example of the few rooms upstairs.  They were heated by a central wood burning stove that is stationed in the hallway.

Here are views from the rooms upstairs. I contemplated Photoshopping the vehicles out of the photo, but this shows the main roads through the "living" museum are still very much used today.  An occasional Percheron drawn carriage is seen on the streets.

I will be posting more of Old Salem in my upcoming posts...