Salem Tavern
Why it's listed
Salem Tavern, at 736-800 South Main Street in Old Salem, Winston-Salem, is a 2½-story brick inn with a gabled roof and a rear ell. The Moravian congregation that founded Salem built it in 1784 on the foundations of the town's first tavern, a half-timbered building lost to fire. It was the first brick building in the town. Inside, a center hall separates a public room from a more formal gentlemen's room, with guest chambers upstairs and the landlord's quarters and a large kitchen in the ell. The tavern earned a wide reputation for hospitality, and George Washington stayed in its northeast chamber during his 1791 Southern tour. By 1816 a second building was needed for overflow guests. After deterioration in the mid-20th century, Old Salem, Inc. leased it in 1953 and restored it in 1956 to its appearance around 1800, using congregation archives and inventories. It is now a museum and an outstanding example of a late 18th-century Southern ordinary.
Significance in brief: It was the first brick building in Salem and replaced an earlier half-timbered tavern destroyed by fire. Its architectural integrity and authentic furnishings make it an outstanding example of a late 18th-century Southern ordinary. George Washington lodged there during his 1791 Southern tour.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000592, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 800 S. Main St., Winston-Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Forsyth County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000592 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1784 |
| Architect / builder | not known |
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Communications |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 29, 1964 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in 1956 to its appearance about 1800, maintained in excellent condition, and operated as a museum open to the public. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Old Salem Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.08549, -80.24183 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000592.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7404190
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.