Discover the fascinating history of photography while learning to capture the beauty of the Gardens of Old Salem using just your smartphone! Explore techniques such as framing, lighting, and capturing the vibrant details of plants, flowers, and landscapes. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, you’ll gain valuable tips and techniques to taking amazing photos using just your smartphone and creativity.

This particular workshop in our 2026 Smartphone Photography series focuses on springtime flowers on the grounds of Old Salem Museums & Gardens and will include both an indoor (introduction and lecture) and an outdoor (venturing into the gardens) portion. The gardens may be wet/muddy. Weather appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended if you choose to join us on this floral adventure at the Garden Education Center!

This workshop is suited for ages 12+. Children under the age of 18 registered for this event must be accompanied by a registered adult. Check-in for this program will be at the Garden Education Center within the Single Brothers' Workshop, 10 W. Academy Street (entrance is through the courtyard gate between the buildings, to the right, and up the ramp). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to allow time for check-in!

Get your hands dirty as you learn how to directly seed and transplant different vegetables for the best success. Split into two groups, one for families and young children and one for teenagers and adults, this workshop will teach you about root structures, soil preparations, and technical skills, all taught in an age-appropriate manner.

Sliding scale program fee, pay what you can. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

Friends of the Monarch is a three-part workshop series covering topics necessary to providing a healthy ecosystem for Monarch butterflies. Each workshop program takes place from 1:00-2:30pm, is appropriate for people age 16 and up, and has a registration fee of $20. Register for all three together for $50. For more information on these three programs, or to register for just one, click on the titles below to access their descriptions.

Milkweed! (Saturday April 25) - Introduces the native host plants of the Monarch caterpillar through lecture and garden walk.

Caterpillars! (Friday June 12) - Explains the Monarch lifecycle through informative lecture and observation in our garden.

Pollinator Gardens! (Saturday August 8) - Explores the options for planning and planting species specifically to attract beneficial, beautiful insects to your garden through lecture and garden tour.

Watercolors in the Garden

Capture the essence of historic herbs, flowers, and crops with gentle instruction for beginners, seasoned painters, and nature lovers alike.

We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, May 9th, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Single Brothers' Workshop | 10 West Academy Street, Winston-Salem 

To celebrate the upcoming summer harvest abundance of our historically authentic crops, Bethany Kendall will lead a discussion on African American foodways, with a focus on staple foods of Southern cuisine. This culinary tradition is inherently multicultural, rooted in ingredients such as sweet potatoes, leafy greens, peppers, okra, and more. The discussion will explore how people of African descent sustained themselves through food, from plant to plate. African American cooking techniques will be examined alongside their historical and nutritional significance. Join us for a talk that takes a closer look at the evolution of the dishes we enjoy today, shaped by the resilience, knowledge, and labor of those who came before us.

Bethany Kendall is an alumna of North Carolina State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in African Studies. Bethany has been part of Old Salem since 2021. Her background in history and African Studies informs her passion for public education, cultural interpretation, and connecting local history to broader African American experiences.

This workshop takes place indoors (in the classroom/conference room) at the Garden Education Center, although you are welcome to stroll through the gardens on your own before the start or after the program concludes. Let our Garden Educators know if you'd like to see where Old Salem's African foodways crops are growing! 

Limited seats available for walk-in attendees - Members pick up your Old Salem daily pass at the Winkler Bakery, Horton Center (MESDA), or the Visitor Center before heading to the Garden Education Center; ticketed guests with daily or 2-stop tickets are welcome as well, with no additional fee required. If you do not plan to visit the historic district for touring this day, you may pre-register for only this program for a $10 program registration fee.

Pre-registration is required to reserve a spot.

This lecture is suited for ages 12+. Children under the age of 18 registered for this event must be accompanied by a registered adult. Check-in for this program will be at the Garden Education Center within the Single Brothers' Workshop, 10 W. Academy Street (entrance is through the courtyard gate between the buildings, to the right, and up the ramp). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to allow time for check-in!