Time Travelling

Last Wednesday we went down to Winston-Salem to visit Old Salem during their Homeschool Days. I had heard about Old Salem from my old college roommate but never been. Let me tell you, if you ever have the chance to visit, do! It was beautiful and wonderful. The best part for me was learning about the Moravians through research and introducing my children to them. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it with Daphne and her girls as well as lots of other homeschoolers. :)

The first demonstration we went to was pertaining to rifles and firing them. It was interesting but the loud sound from shot caught us all off guard...especially Cade.
Next we were off to the Square where some lovely ladies showed us how to use a sundial.
At the corner of the Square is a water pump which we all enjoyed using!

There was a Fire Drill at 11 which we got to participate in. The Moravians had monthly Fire Drills to ensure everyone knew what to do if a fire broke out in one of the buildings or homes. We first got in a big circle between the water pump and the "fire engine" to form a Bucket Brigade. NOW I know what that means!

Couple of cuties

Sittin' pretty!

Ready for the Fire Drill!

Passing the empty buckets back to the pump

Once the engine was filled up one of the men held up the hose to squirt out the water while the other men pumped. Some of the kids stood out to get wet from the water but ours elected not to. However, Ward decided later that he wanted to do it...next time.

Next we went to the Single Brothers House where we learned about pottery, organs, dying materials, and how to start a fire with flint. After a nice picnic lunch on the Square we went to the local store for a little candy stick dessert before heading to the Bakery for some very yummy bread and even yummier Moravian cookies to take home. On to the Doctor's House (who was also the dentist and vet) where we learned about the medical practices of that day along with how to make butter, how to make lye from ashes, and made lavender sachets! Did you know that lavender is a wonderful insect repellent? Good to know! We then went back to a demonstration about different leavening agents and how they work. We watched the ladies making some bread (and got to help). They baked it in a dutch oven on legs which smelled absolutely wonderful!

The hour was getting later and our children were doing unbelievably well but it was time to wrap it up. We stopped back by the store and got some lavender soap, an herb cookbook for me, and acrylic Moravian star ornaments for the children. Last stop was the Tavern where President Washington stayed on his tour of the South during his first term. It was beautiful and quite interesting finding out that you paid for bed space not a bedroom. Think about that, you could be sharing the bed with 5-6 men! Of course, if it was a woman and children they would get a private room but women didn't travel a lot in those days without their husbands, you know! :) In the cellar we learned how sugar cane was processed to make sugar and making rock candy. Too bad we couldn't try any! We then got in the car and headed home to share our yummy baked goods with Daddy. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again!