Fort New Salem facts for kids

Fort New Salem is a special outdoor museum in Salem, West Virginia. It's like stepping back in time to the 1800s! Here, you can explore a village made of old log cabins. These buildings show what life was like for people living on the frontier in West Virginia. The fort is a 'living history' museum, meaning you can see and learn about old crafts and ways of life. It's famous for its fun events, especially "The Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains." This village started being built in 1971 and opened in 1974. Today, it covers about eight acres and is owned by the Fort New Salem Foundation.

Experience Life at Fort New Salem: Events and Festivals

Fort New Salem hosts exciting events throughout the year. These events let you experience history firsthand. You can learn about old traditions and have lots of fun!

Spring Fun: Arts and Crafts Kick Off

• John Randolph Spring Arts Kick Off: Welcome spring with local artists! They show off amazing crafts like pottery, weaving, and wood carving. You can watch demos, listen to music, and find unique handmade treasures.

Summer Adventures: Workshops and Stories

• Weekend of Workshops: Want to learn something new? You can try traditional skills here. Learn basket weaving, how to play a dulcimer, or even make candles. Experts will guide you through these cool activities.
• Myths of the Mountains: Gather under the stars for Appalachian folklore! Storytellers share exciting tales. Hear about ghosts, witches, and woodland creatures. It's a bit spooky and a lot of fun!

Fall Festivities: Apples and Harvest Time

• Apple Butter Festival: See how apple butter was made long ago. Watch demonstrations, enjoy music, and play games. Of course, there's plenty of delicious apple butter to taste and buy!
• Fort Fall Day: Celebrate the harvest season! You can see cider being pressed and corn being shucked. There's also pumpkin carving, hayrides, music, and old-fashioned games.

Winter Wonderland: Spirit of Christmas

• Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains: Get into the holiday spirit! Walk through the fort by candlelight. See cabins decorated for Christmas. Enjoy caroling, music, and the cozy warmth of a crackling fire. It's a heartwarming trip back in time.

Fort New Salem's events offer a unique journey into the past. They are perfect for all ages. Come and make unforgettable memories!

Who Owns Fort New Salem?

Fort New Salem has had two main owners. Both groups worked hard to keep this special place alive.

Salem University's Vision

Salem International University (once called Salem College) started Fort New Salem in 1971. Their goal was to save and show how people lived in Appalachia in the 1800s. The university carefully found and moved 18 old log buildings. Each building shows an important part of the past. Salem University turned their idea into a lively museum. It opened to the public in 1974.

Fort New Salem Foundation Takes Over

For many years, Salem International University took care of Fort New Salem. But by the 2000s, the university faced money problems. They wanted to make sure the fort would be protected forever. In 2005, the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. stepped in. They raised money and took ownership of the museum. This made sure the fort would stay open for everyone to visit. The foundation continues to work on restoring and expanding the fort. This means even more exciting things are coming for future visitors!

Building the Fort: A Look at Construction

Creating Fort New Salem was a big project! Salem College searched for real 19th-century log buildings. They looked all over the region. They found old, unused buildings and worked with families to get them. They chose buildings that showed different parts of frontier life.

Each building was carefully taken apart. Then, it was moved to the fort site. Workers put them back together using old building methods. Some buildings are even named after people who helped save them. The Fort New Salem Foundation is still learning about the history of every building. They welcome any information from the public. This hard work has created a living history museum. It shows how clever and resourceful people were in the past.