Preservation Forsyth

Wow! What a GREAT tour! Thank you to Jared Rogers, John Bobby, and Travis Temples, for an amazing tour of Salem Bottleworks. Learning about the building's history, restoration, and transformation into a multi-purpose, mixed-used development, was most interesting. And, being treated to focaccia-style pizza, sweet treats, and lemonade during the tour, was a most delectable surprise for all! 😋

Thank you also to everyone who attended the tour. It was great to see so many new faces and we hope to see all of you (both members and non!) at future events.

: Demolition by Neglect

Demolition by neglect occurs when a property owner—either through inaction or intent—fails to maintain a historic structure, leading to severe disrepair. Over time, exposure to the elements, structural instability, and lack of upkeep make the building unsafe, creating justification for demolition. This practice is often used as a loophole to bypass preservation regulations, allowing owners to clear a site for redevelopment without having to go through the legal process of seeking a demolition permit.

Definition from Preservation Raleigh; photograph is for illustrative purposes and does not show a home in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Would you like to learn a little about the Winston Coca-Cola Bottling Plant's history? If so, then click the link below to read the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission's information sheet.

https://www.cityofws.org/1319/Local-Historic-Landmarks -7f8970e5ffbdd61e700caf4b4d3f033dfd61f429a097e34def88d9f386db15a4

Photograph courtesy of Heather Fearnbach and Forsyth County HRC

There are still a few spots left, so come join us for a tour of Salem Bottleworks on Monday, June 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and hear how the former 1929 Coca-Cola Bottling Plant underwent a "modern transformation, from historic bottling operation to multi-purpose mixed use development."

The cost of the tour is $30.00 for members and $40.00 for non-members. Refreshments will be served. Don't wait! Reserve your spot today at - https://preservationforsyth.org/event-6717069

Image of Designated Forsyth County Historic Property plaque courtesy of Salem Bottleworks.

: Split-level Home

A split-level home is a type of residential architecture characterized by multiple levels that are staggered or offset from one another. It typically consists of two or three levels, each partially or fully separated by a short flight of stairs. The design of a split-level home aims to maximize the usable living space within a compact footprint.

Split-level Homes can be found in various settings but are most common in suburban and residential neighborhoods. Their design and layout make them well-suited for sloping lots or landscapes with uneven terrain. This type of home became popular in the mid-20th century and is a common architectural style in many suburban areas, particularly in North America and Europe.

Image shows a split-level home located at 6020 Jeannine Drive in Lewisville.

Definition from architecturelab.net and image courtesy of Micaela Wall/The W Group Real Estate

Have you reserved your spot for the Salem Bottleworks Tour that will take place next week? If not, click on the event link to learn more and to save your spot today!

Preservation Forsyth - Salem Bottleworks Tour You saw the BEFORE, now see the AFTER! Come take the Salem Bottleworks Tour with us on Monday, June 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We'll hear from Jared Rogers, the building's owner, and John Bobby, chef and owner of Bobby Boy Bakeshop, Grandpa Joe's Slaberia, and Noodle Ju'B, who will share how the former....

In 1967, Carol Miller, a reporter with the Winston-Salem Journal, wrote the article "Past Recalled in Stately Houses." In it, she gave a brief overview of the Augustus Eugene Conrad House in Lewisville and shared that the then owner had considered tearing it down. Miller said "when William Conrad bought the family home...in 1933, he considered tearing down the plantation farmhouse and starting from scratch. The house had no heat, water, or electricity. He asked the advice of Ada Allen, a Salem decorator, who persuaded him to leave the old house as much like the original as possible" -- which he did.

Although all spots have been filled for the upcoming A. E. Conrad House Tour, please know that you are welcome to add your name to the waitlist. To do so, simply click the event link - https://preservationforsyth.org/event-6702603 - and you will see the "Join Waitlist" button.

These images, which accompanied Miller's article, show the A. E. Conrad House and William Conrad sitting in an interior room. Taken by Frank Jones, the photographs are in the collection of the Forsyth County Public Library and are courtesy of Digital Forsyth.

- Did you know that an ancient poplar tree; a tree that "sprouted before Columbus sailed for the New World," still stands in Forsyth County? If you have never seen the tree, today is a perfect day to visit C. G. Hill Memorial Park that is located at 5600 Balsom Road in Pfafftown. The tree grew to "great height and breadth," but at some point, it was struck by lightning and eventually decayed. The decay formed a hollow center in the tree that you can step inside of today.

In addition to the tree, the Park itself "has a rich history" as the property was originally owned by John Jacob Schaub, an early Moravian settler. Schaub's descendants sold the property to Charles G. Hill in 1951, and Hill's family donated thirteen acres to the City of Winston-Salem and the County of Forsyth in 1971 for use as a public park; a park that has been called "the epitome of serenity." Learn more at -https://www.forsyth.cc/parks/cghill/history.aspx

Photos courtesy of Wanderlog and Yelp.

: Water Table

In architectural terms, a water table is a horizontal feature, typically a molding or ledge, that protrudes from the exterior wall of a building. It is strategically located above the ground level and serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it acts as a barrier to prevent rainwater from seeping into the foundation. Additionally, it aids in directing water away from the building’s walls, thus protecting the structure from water damage and erosion. Beyond its functional purpose, a water table provides a visual break in the façade and can be used to enhance a building's overall aesthetic.

A water table can be seen on the former Centenary Methodist Sunday School Annex that was built in 1923 and is located at 545 North Trade Street in Winston-Salem.

Information from Alsyed Construction and Winston-Salem's Architectural Legacy by Heather Fearnbach; photograph courtesy of Google maps.