MUSE Winston‑Salem. A history museum for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County where every story matters.

Here, our city’s past, present, and future are a continuing conversation, not just archives and artifacts. Your perspective enriches the conversation, enlivens our community, and builds connection and understanding.

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Dr. Bahnson's lily pond in Salem, ca. 1890.
Dr. Bahnson's lily pond in Salem, ca. 1890.
Image Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Detail from "This School, This City" (2014), a mural by artist Nicholas Burton Bragg
Detail from "This School, This City" (2014), a mural by artist Nicholas Burton Bragg
Mural commissioned by MUSEws and UNC School of the Arts
Winston-Salem Christmas parade, 1965
Winston-Salem Christmas parade, 1965
Image Courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection
R. J. Reynolds headquarters and the new Wachovia building, 1965
R. J. Reynolds headquarters and the new Wachovia building, 1965
Image Courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection
Safe Bus fleet vehicle
Safe Bus fleet vehicle
Courtesy MUSE Winston-Salem Archives
Rough and Ready Fire Dept, 1893.
Rough and Ready Fire Dept, 1893.
Image Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Piedmont Airlines DC-3, operated 1948-1963
Piedmont Airlines DC-3, operated 1948-1963
Piedmont Airlines
The Van Vleck sisters taught music at Salem Academy and College for over 50 years, ca. 1895.
The Van Vleck sisters taught music at Salem Academy and College for over 50 years, ca. 1895.
Image Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens
United Tobacco Workers Local 22 strike at Piedmont Leaf Tobacco Co., 1946.
United Tobacco Workers Local 22 strike at Piedmont Leaf Tobacco Co., 1946.
Image Courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection
Krispy Kreme production line
Krispy Kreme production line
Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Tobacco photo
Photo: David Wainer

Our mission is to connect, enrich, and enlarge the community through history, storytelling, and informed, balanced perspective that leads to acceptance, understanding, and belonging.

Events

Join us as we continue to share stories and experiences from our community.

We’ve been sharing the stories and experiences of our city through exhibits, public programs, and oral histories. We’ve explored Winston-Salem at work and play, at school and in the street, in moments of crisis and celebration, and through the lenses of its neighborhoods, its social diversity, and its ongoing evolution.

Support Us

For MUSE Winston-Salem to continue contributing to the community, we need the community to contribute to
MUSE Winston-Salem.

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Donate

Your generosity helps us unite our community and promote understanding, storytelling, and engagement. MUSE Winston-Salem is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Our Staff
Dr. Mike Wakeford
Executive Director
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Alanna Meltzer-Holderfield
Assistant Director
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Board of Directors
Heyward Whetsell
Chair
Endia Beal
Vice-Chair
Rajesh Kapileshwari
Treasurer
Akwete McAlister
Secretary
Meredith Frazier Britt
Past Chair
Lou Baldwin
Dr. Terry Brock
Carla Catalan Day
Susan King DeRamus
Berkley von Feilitzsch
Veronique George
Kevin Goode
Mildred Paden
Billy Rich
Dr. April Ruffin-Adams
Karen Ruiz
Dr. Benjamin P. Sayers
Christine Kelley Storch
Anthony M. Tang
Coleman Team
Dr. Tangela Towns
Mary Tribble
Dr. Corey D.B. Walker
Benjamin Winikoff
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