Single Brothers' House facts for kids
|
Single Brothers' House
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
Single Brothers' House, September 2019
|
|
 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | S. Main and Academy Sts., Old Salem, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Built | 1769 |
| Architect | Friedrich von Marschall |
| Part of | Old Salem Historic District (ID66000591) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000454 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 13, 1966 |
The Single Brothers' House is a very old and important building in Old Salem, North Carolina. It was built a long time ago for the unmarried men of the Moravian community. Today, it's part of the Old Salem Museums & Gardens, and you can visit it to learn about life in the past! It's located at 600 South Main Street.
Contents
History of the House
The first part of the Single Brothers' House was designed by Friedrich von Marschall. He was an important leader in the Moravian settlements. This first section was finished in 1769.
Building the House
A skilled builder named Melchior Rasp constructed the first part. It was made with a traditional German style. This included half-timber framing and exposed brick. The roof was made of clay tiles. Christian Triebel did all the carpentry work.
Later, in 1786, a brick addition was built. This was added to the south end of the house. Johann Gottlob Krause, who took over from Rasp, built this new section.
Life in the House
The Single Brothers' House was a busy place. It was home to many craftsmen and their young apprentices. These were people learning a trade, like carpentry or pottery. The building also had special shops for different trades.
Inside, there was a kitchen and a dining room. There were also offices for managing the community. A special room called a "Saal" was used for worship and meetings.
Other buildings were also on the property. A workshop was built behind the main house in 1771. There was also a brewery, a place for preparing meat, a distillery, and a tannery. Large gardens were also part of the property. Some of these gardens have been brought back to life.
Changes Over Time
The Single Brothers' House closed in 1823. The oldest part of the building was then used as apartments. The newer brick section became a Boys' School. The school stayed there for six years.
After that, the building was mostly used as homes. It became known as the "Widow's House." This was because many single women and widows from the church lived there. Later, the Single Sisters, another group from the church, took care of the property.
In 1964, the building was restored. It became part of the museum.
The House Today
The Single Brothers' House belongs to the Salem Congregation. This is a group of Moravian churches. Today, it is a popular stop on tours of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
During the Christmas season, the house hosts a special event. It's called the Candle Tea. This event helps raise money for local charities. It is organized by the Women's Fellowship of Home Moravian Church.
The house was recognized as a special historic place in 1970. It is also part of the larger Old Salem National Historic Landmark District. This district was first recognized in 1966.
In the second half of the 1900s, some wooden siding was removed. This showed the original brick underneath on one side of the building.
Gallery
-
Single Brothers' House, HABS Photo, 1940
.jpg)
See also
