Single Sisters House (1785)

Single Sisters House, a national landmark of women's achievement, needs to be preserved. It stands as an enduring reminder of the value of equal education and opportunity for all women. The house has endured long years of institutional use, and they have taken their toll on this revered structure. We are honored that the United States Congress voted to give Salem a "Save America's Treasures" grant from the National Park Service to help preserve the Single Sisters House, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation has also given us a grant for its preservation. Locally, Sara Lee Corporation and the Winston-Salem Foundation have contributed to the Single Sisters House fund, and several individuals have given generously. These initial gifts enabled us to hire a Philadelphia firm, Marianna Thomas Architects, with experience in historic preservation.

The team from Marianna Thomas Architects has completed the first phase of studies on the Single Sisters House. The Physical Condition Assessment, Historic Integrity Analysis, and Space Utilization Analysis, begun in March 2004, are completed and the final report has been delivered. DCF Engineering found that the building is structurally sound, but water leakage problems with the roof and foundation will have to be addressed. Historic studies found the Sisters House to be "extraordinarily intact" and significant, recommending that the 1819 Saal (chapel/meeting room) and central staircase be restored to their original configurations and the 1786 kitchen be stabilized and protected as an interpretative museum space. The Space Utilization Analysis is the result of interviews with administration and faculty at Salem and with the Winston-Salem Inspections Division. Flexibility and continued student use are key components of the mixed-use plan recommendations. The first floor plan will include public museum space, a welcome center to Salem Academy and College, reception rooms for the Admissions office, and seminar rooms for honors classes or other small meetings. The second floor will accommodate office space for Student Services, as well as a public space that will seat approximately 80 people for small lectures, concerts, or meetings in the 1819 Saal. The third floor will house the office operations of college admissions counselors, preserving the open space plan original to its 1786 use as a dormitory, and the third floor of the 1819 addition will contain office space for the Dean of Admissions. Estimated costs for the completion of the project total approximately $5 million.

The story of the Single Sisters, women whose strong faith, leadership, and community service helped to build an educational institution that thrives more than 230 years later, needs to be told. Much work remains to be done to preserve this national landmark. Construction could begin as early as June 2005. The Single Sisters moved into their new quarters on April 5, 1786, and we hope that we can dedicate this important building anew on April 5, 2007, to all of the women who have passed through Salem's halls.

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