Work has been busy lately - with one supervisor out on a medical leave of absence and my other supervisor going on vacation. A supervisor from a hotel in South Carolina came to fill in the gap for nine days. Thursday the 19th was my only day off that week, so afte
r work on Wednesday I decided to escape the hotel for at least a day to enjoy the day off. I was able to find the associate rate available in Winston-Salem and made the 90 minute drive north to historic W-S.
r work on Wednesday I decided to escape the hotel for at least a day to enjoy the day off. I was able to find the associate rate available in Winston-Salem and made the 90 minute drive north to historic W-S.I didn't get into town until around 11:00 pm, so there wasn't much exploring to be done that night, but the next morning I decided to visit Bethabara Park just a couple of miles from the downtown area. The park is the site of the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina in 1753. The Moravians were a German speaking Protestant sect that predates the Lutherans. Bethabara ("House of Passage") was a center for religion, governance, trade, industry, culture, education, and the arts. The Moravians constructed over 75 buildings during the first 20 years of the settlement's existence. During the French and Indian War (1753-1762), Bethabara and its two forts served as defensive centers for regional settlers and a supply depot for the Catawba allies of the British.
Today the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with several origina
l buildings still in existance. The most important one is the 1788 Gemeinhaus (church), uniquely the last remaining eighteenth-century German church with attached living quarters remaining in the United States, furnished with period furniture, some original to the building. Across the street from the Gemeinhaus is the house of the village's distiller and brewer. Behind the Gemeinhaus are several archeological digs that show the foundations and cellars for several other important buildings. The most notable are the apothecary and doctor's office. People would travel miles to visit the doctor - so much so, that outbuildings were also built to house the "strangers" who came to visit the community. Since all members of the community spoke German, one person who spoke English was chosen to be the greeter of visitors to Bethabara. 
Life of the community was very well documented, sketches of the buildings as well as a journal of daily life. Because of this they were able to reconstruct parts of the village as well. This journal also made it easier to determine where to dig for atrifacts and what they were finding when they did dig. I didn't take the tour this time around, but opted to roam around
the site myself at my own pace. It was interesting to see the "walls" of the fort - the walls are comprised of tall wooden poles stuck into the ground very close together, nothing tying them together and able to be seen through - not exactly the image of forts that I had as a kid!
l buildings still in existance. The most important one is the 1788 Gemeinhaus (church), uniquely the last remaining eighteenth-century German church with attached living quarters remaining in the United States, furnished with period furniture, some original to the building. Across the street from the Gemeinhaus is the house of the village's distiller and brewer. Behind the Gemeinhaus are several archeological digs that show the foundations and cellars for several other important buildings. The most notable are the apothecary and doctor's office. People would travel miles to visit the doctor - so much so, that outbuildings were also built to house the "strangers" who came to visit the community. Since all members of the community spoke German, one person who spoke English was chosen to be the greeter of visitors to Bethabara. 
Life of the community was very well documented, sketches of the buildings as well as a journal of daily life. Because of this they were able to reconstruct parts of the village as well. This journal also made it easier to determine where to dig for atrifacts and what they were finding when they did dig. I didn't take the tour this time around, but opted to roam around
the site myself at my own pace. It was interesting to see the "walls" of the fort - the walls are comprised of tall wooden poles stuck into the ground very close together, nothing tying them together and able to be seen through - not exactly the image of forts that I had as a kid!
There are about 20 miles worth of trails that run through the park, originating at the historic area. They have maps the guide you throughout the park - there are two main trails that run at 10K if you take the full walk. I took the "lower trial" which runs along the
creek to the site of the old mill then through the marsh to a beaver pond. They have piers that go out over the pond which was very relaxing to stand on. Near the beaver pond was a strip mall and the map recommended it was a good place to get water for the remainder of the walk. Since it was around 90 that day I decided it was a good thing to do as well. Well being hungry as well, I noticed a pizzeria/restaurant next to the Harris Teeter. I went in for some lunch and was pleasantly suprised to find a rea
l italian menu offered. I went out on a limb and ordered a slice of pizza to start and eggplant parmesian for my meal. I was even more suprised to find that the pizza was good and the eggplant was VERY good (not as good as Mom's but still good). The eggplant was cut very thin and lot layered too thick nor over cooked or mushy. I left the restaurant very full and really not wanting to complete the walk back to the car, but I perservered and finished the walk.
creek to the site of the old mill then through the marsh to a beaver pond. They have piers that go out over the pond which was very relaxing to stand on. Near the beaver pond was a strip mall and the map recommended it was a good place to get water for the remainder of the walk. Since it was around 90 that day I decided it was a good thing to do as well. Well being hungry as well, I noticed a pizzeria/restaurant next to the Harris Teeter. I went in for some lunch and was pleasantly suprised to find a rea
l italian menu offered. I went out on a limb and ordered a slice of pizza to start and eggplant parmesian for my meal. I was even more suprised to find that the pizza was good and the eggplant was VERY good (not as good as Mom's but still good). The eggplant was cut very thin and lot layered too thick nor over cooked or mushy. I left the restaurant very full and really not wanting to complete the walk back to the car, but I perservered and finished the walk.
Then it was time to travel back to Charlotte after a strenous but relaxing day in Winston-Salem.
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