The 29-day, 500-mile Journey from Bethlehem to Salem is nearing its completion. If you haven’t been following the adventures of the walkers, please check out their delightful daily blog.

The Journey also a terrific history blog, which has some short essays that provide the cultural, political, and geographical context for the 1766 travelers. For an account of the original journey in 1766, read Salome Meurer’s journal.

We hope the blogs inspire you to join us for the final leg of the journey on October 26. There are several ways you take part in this historic adventure that day!

If you plan to walk from Bethabara, you must register here: online registration. Registered participants must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test within the last 72 hours at the check-in table at Bethabara.

Visitors to the square in Old Salem will see three buildings on the northeast corner at the intersection of Academy and Church streets. The same three buildings have stood on this corner since 1856. Together, Home Moravian Church, The Inspector’s House, and Main Hall represent the enduring legacy of Salem’s Moravian Church and of the Academy and College.

Main Hall stands on the site of the Gemeinhaus, which was the original meeting place for Salem’s congregation. Home Moravian Church is about to celebrate its own 250th anniversary of the consecration of the Gemeinhaus on November 13, 1771. The first baptism performed on that day was of Johann Samuel, an African American man enslaved by the Wachovia Administration of the Moravian Church. His daughter, Anna Maria Samuel, was a member of the older girls’ choir and lived in the Single Sisters house while taking classes in the girls school. His son Christian Samuel worked for the Single Sisters as a free man before the Civil War.

The history of the school and the church are inextricably linked. Traugott Bagge and Jacob Meyer, two fathers from Salem’s congregation, hired Elisabeth Oesterlein to teach their daughters beginning in April 1772. Oesterlein taught students in one room of the Gemeinhaus, which also housed the Single Sisters, the minister, and his family. She was the first in a long line of single and widowed women to teach in this building, which served as the site of classes until 1854 when it was torn down to make room for the expansion of the boarding school.

There are not many places in American cities where one can see such a historical continuity of buildings used for their original purpose. The Inspector’s House has been continuously used for the administrators of Salem since it was built in 1805. Main Hall opened in 1856 to provide more living and teaching space for the boarding school. Home Church was completed in 1800 to serve the growing community of Salem.

These buildings serve as a testament to the contributions of the church and school to the community of Winston-Salem and surrounding towns. Thousands of Academy and College alumnae have continued to serve locally, nationally, and globally. It’s a legacy worth honoring as both Home Moravian Church and the school mark their 250th anniversaries.

Michelle Hopkins Lawrence
Co-chair of The Anna Maria Samuel Project: Race, Remembrance, and Reconciliation at Salem Academy and College
Co-chair of the History Committee for the 250th
History Department Salem Academy

Thanks to a generous supporter of Salem Academy and College, a limited number of North Carolina Salem Academy and College license plates are being offered to alumnae and supporters at no charge. Fill out this form by December 1. Salem will submit the applications to the State of North Carolina, after which the legislature is anticipated to approve our plate, which will then be rolled out (probably in 2022). You will receive your plate in the mail when they are available. Until then, your existing plates are valid. Completed forms should be sent to: Renee Garcia-Prajer, Office of the President, Salem Academy and College, 601 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Love’ Lemon C’12 is a native of Winston-Salem who grew up in Happy Hill Garden, a neighborhood not far from Salem College’s campus. After graduating from Glenn High School in Winston-Salem, she enrolled at Salem College and majored in communications with a minor in political science.

Her list of extracurricular activities while at Salem includes serving as president of First Year Gramley Residential Hall, co-founder of Ghost Ryders, Fremdendienerin or FREM for short (student greeters), Judicial Council, Honor Guide, Student Leadership Connection, Model United Nations, and president of the Student Government Association.

Love’ is a 2015 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, where she received her Masters of Divinity degree. With a concentration in social and oral communication, social justice and political studies, Love’ also worked with the Poor People’s campaign as North Carolina’s State Co-Chair.

“Salem College gave me an education that I’m learning is a very unique education. I have an understanding of the basics, the complicated and difficult social relations,” Love’ said. “Also, I can communicate my understanding of all of this with anyone and any community. I do believe a liberal arts education helps with that.”

Love’ stays in touch with friends from Salem College and gives a shout out to her good friend, Katian Desgrottes C’12, who is an English Teacher (of the year) for John F. Kennedy High School. “She is also engaged to be married,” Love’ said.  “And I get to officiate the wedding!”

She fondly remembers teachers and mentors in the Salem College community, especially in Admissions, where Love’ worked.  She would like to give a shout out to all the Cathys and Kathys in Admissions, to Dr. Kim Nguyen, to Dr. David Foley, and to Suzanne Williams.

Today, Love’ is a daughter, sister, auntie, and a great auntie.  Her choice efforts include transforming young people’s lives through visual and spoken art and working to build up advocates for social equity and systemic change. Love’ serves as the programs and outreach coordinator for Authoring Action of Winston Salem, and, during her self-care time, enjoys reading Harry Potter and anything bell hooks, drinking tea and mimosas, listening to gangsta rap and gospel, and watching movies.

Love’ recently wrote a guest column for the Winston-Salem Journal about her emphatic view that literacy is closely tied to violence in schools. To read the column, click on Winston-Salem Journal.

Sara Vesta has joined Salem as the Associate Director of Admissions for Alumnae Volunteer Management. A Salem College Class of 2014 alumna, Sara also completed a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard University. She brings her diverse experience from the academic and business worlds into her new role in organizing alumnae Admissions volunteers for both the Academy and the College.

“I look forward to mobilizing both Academy and College alumnae who are able and willing to volunteer some of their time and energy to assist the Admissions Office in our recruitment efforts,” said Sara. “Previous iterations of alumnae volunteer networks through the Admissions Office have been called the Alumnae Admissions Representative (AAR) program or STARS. In the past, volunteers have contacted prospective and accepted students via phone, email, and letter writing campaigns. They have also adopted local high schools, visited with guidance counselors, and attended college fairs on behalf of the Admissions Office.”

“I am excited to revitalize these efforts for alumnae who love talking about their Salem experience and who would enjoy connecting with prospective and accepted students,” she added. “I am particularly eager to offer these non-monetary volunteer opportunities to younger alumnae who feel a deep connection to Salem but may not have the resources to contribute financially.”

Sara’s contact information is:
336-917-5567 and sara.vesta@salem.edu 

Amanda Long Ramseur C’93, Jenny Eury C’78, and President Summer McGee at alumnae gathering in Raleigh.

Connect with fellow alumnae at alumnae events in various locations throughout the Southeast. You can meet President Summer McGee and Salem Academy Head of School Kris Sorrells at the Atlanta, Greenville, and DC Metro Area gatherings. President McGee will also be at the Asheville event.

• Atlanta Area Alumnae Event – Wednesday, November 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Greenville (SC) Area Alumnae Event – Thursday, November 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Washington D.C. Metro Area Alumnae Event – Thursday, November 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Christmas Candlelight Service – Thursday, December 2, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.