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To see and do
Thankfully the Moravians were masters of documenting everything. The 1761
medical garden is the earliest known example of a well-documented colonial
medicinal garden; and the reconstructed 1759 community garden was also well
documented.
On the grounds are the Gemeinhaus; the Krause-Butner Potter’s House; the
1803 Brewers House; excavations of 40 original foundations; a wooden French
and Indian War fort in its original trench; the community gardens, and other
archaeological evidence of this early town. At the Visitors Center a
videotape presentation and exhibits depict the area’s history, and costumed
guides are available for walking tours.
Notice the two outside doors at the church. Moravians entered on the right
while non-Moravians used the left door. The pastor sat at a table, so as not
to look down on the congregation, which was segregated by age and sex, with
the youngest up front and the oldest at the back of the room; men on the
left and women on the right. Music was a very important part of the three
daily worship services, which lasted about 15 minutes each, except for the
hour-long evening service.
The park’s 175 acres of nature preserve provide 20 miles of walking trails,
including more than six miles of nature and history trails for visitors to
explore. Take the trail to the mill site, or stroll the boardwalk over the
beaver pond where otters, mink, and woodchucks can be spotted, and you may
see foxes and deer in the wildlife area.
Special and seasonal activities are scheduled during the year including a
Bethabara Band Concert with “Music Under the Stars” on Thursday, June 14 and
an Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 2 from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
At this old-fashioned family outing you may enjoy Uncle Sam on stilts, craft
demonstrations, hay wagon rides, music and 25-cent ice cream. The always
popular Piedmont Chamber Singers Candlelight Concert will be held Sunday
December 9 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. This holiday concert presents traditional
carols in the historic Gemeinhaus, with its outstanding acoustics.
Other special events are scheduled throughout the year. To see a complete
listing of events go to: http://www.bethabarapark.org/calendar05/calendar05.htm
or call 336-924-8191. All events are free unless noted.
Details
Historic Bethabara (be-THA-bara) Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem,
27106, 336-924-8191; grounds open and free of charge all day, year round.
Exhibit buildings open for guided tours April 1 through November 30, except
Thanksgiving Day, Mon-Fri.—10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 1:30 p.m. to
4:30 p.m. Cost of one-hour guided tours adults $2, $1 for 17 and younger;
group tours of 15 or more people available by appointment. Last tour begins
at 3:00 p.m. |
