Fort New Salem
| Fort New Salem | |
|---|---|
  Location of Fort New Salem in West Virginia | |
| Location | Salem, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°17′22″N 80°33′56″W / 39.28944°N 80.56556°W |
| Built | 1792 |
| Governing body | Salem University |
Fort New Salem is a frontier settlement of nineteenth century log structures located in Salem, Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, adjacent to Salem International University. Fort New Salem is a living history outdoor museum interpreting the history, crafts and lifestyles of the area. Historically, among the numerous seasonal activities held at the fort is "The Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains". This nationally recognized event is a joyous celebration of the traditional folk-ways found in the observance of Christmas in West Virginia.[1] Work on the village of over 18 relocated log structures began in 1971. The Fort opened to the public in 1974, as a part of Salem College (now known as Salem International University). The site is approximately eight acres, now owned by the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc.[2] [3]
Ownership
[edit]Salem College
[edit]Salem International University spearheaded the creation of Fort New Salem in 1971. They embarked on a mission to preserve and showcase the 19th-century Appalachian way of life. To achieve this, the university acquired and relocated 18 historic log structures, each representing an element of the past. First opened to the public in 1974.
Fort New Salem Foundation
[edit]The Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. stepped forward in 2005.
Construction
[edit]To create Fort New Salem, Salem College embarked on a journey to collect authentic 19th-century log structures from across the region. They sought abandoned buildings, negotiated with families, and prioritized structures representing diverse aspects of frontier life. Each building was disassembled, transported, and reassembled at the site using historical techniques. Today, some structures bear the names of donors who helped preserve them. While the origins of every building aren't fully documented, the Fort New Salem Foundation continues to research and welcomes any information from the public.[citation needed]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Fort Tours | Fort New Salem
- ^ "Fort New Salem". Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Fort New Salem - The West Virginia Museum Directory". Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
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