Old Salem Field Trip

One of my most favorite things about being a work-from-home Mommy is that I get to attend school events without feeling guilty about shirking other responsibilities. I was so happy that I got to go with Kamdyn and her class to Old Salem in Winston Salem.  It is truly a remarkable place.  A city that the Moravians started back in the 1800's.  

The houses and buildings are still mostly the original structures.  George Washington actually stayed in one of the taverns as he was passing through.  The kids got to see how people lived long ago.  They were minimalists which I could completely get behind.  They didn't have a lot of stuff.  Their rooms literally had a bed and one truck for clothing.  We got to see a presentation by a shoemaker.  She explained how the shoes were made with molds and leather.  She told the kids that their shoes would have been made a couple of sizes too big so they could wear them for several years.  One. Pair. Of. Shoes.  She also told them that one pair of good shoes back then would cost the equivalent of $300-$400 in today's time.  But they kept their shoes for years!  

We got to see a tailor in action and a woodworker.  We also got to visit the town bakery for some delicious treats!!

Sydney got to be in our group so the three of us had a super fun time walking around Old Salem.

Kamdyn's teacher asked me to ride the bus so I could help with distributing the snacks that I brought for the class.  She didn't know that my motion sickness was so terrible!!  Nah, I did find, but  that bus was no joke even as a charter bus....it was still really bumpy!

Sitting on one of the not so soft beds!

How the Moravians painted Easter Eggs.  They used coloring from different foods.  It was really neat!

This lady was showing how to make paper flowers.  She said they couldn't get fresh flowers all season for decorating their homes so they make them out of paper.

Woodworker making a dovetail stool.

They were helping him put it back together.

Making and decorating books.

Making artwork that could be seen when hanging in a window....almost like a window catcher, but they punched holes around the outside of the picture so that light could shine through.  Very neat!

We had to pause for a picture with their buddy, Wyatt.  He's not in their class this year, but was at Olive Chapel.

We ventured down to the cemetery.

Pumping water down by the fire station.

Silly girl!!

Pausing for a photo in front of the bridge that connects the visitors center to the town of Old Salem.

Kamdyn and a few of her sweet classmates!