Fort New Salem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort New Salem |
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| Location | Salem, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Built | 1792 |
| Governing body | Salem University |
Fort New Salem is a special outdoor museum in Salem, West Virginia. It's like a time machine that shows what life was like in the 1800s. This museum is made of old log buildings from the 19th century. It's right next to Salem International University.
At Fort New Salem, you can learn about the history, crafts, and daily life of people who lived in the mountains. They often have fun events, like "The Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains." This event celebrates how Christmas was observed in West Virginia a long time ago.
Work on creating this village started in 1971. It has more than 18 log buildings that were moved from other places. Fort New Salem first opened to visitors in 1974. It was part of Salem College, which is now Salem University. The museum covers about eight acres of land. Today, the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. owns and takes care of the site.
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Who Owns Fort New Salem?
Salem University's Role
Salem University, which was called Salem College back then, started Fort New Salem in 1971. Their goal was to save and show how people lived in the Appalachian mountains in the 1800s. To do this, the university found and moved 18 old log buildings. Each building helps tell a part of the past. The museum first welcomed visitors in 1974.
Fort New Salem Foundation Takes Over
In 2005, a group called the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. took over the ownership. They continue to care for and operate the museum today.
How Fort New Salem Was Built
To create Fort New Salem, Salem College went on a mission. They looked for real 19th-century log buildings from all over the region. They found old, empty buildings and worked with families to get them. They chose buildings that showed different parts of frontier life.
Each building was carefully taken apart, moved to the museum site, and then put back together. They used the same building methods that people used long ago. Some of the buildings are named after people who helped save them. The Fort New Salem Foundation is still researching the history of every building. They welcome any information from the public that can help them learn more.
