[Matthew]

On December 11th, the restoration of Winston-Salem's historic 1926 city hall was complete! It was open house and I had to visit! Josh (a good friend who also likes Winston-Salem) and I didn't leave Arden until 1pm. It's a 3 hour drive to Winston-Salem from my house. In December, that is late! We didn't have much time to photograph anything other than City Hall. I'm sorry about that. :( I'll make up for it on my next trip to this awesome city!

Sorry for the poor quality, the server these are on resized the photos from 800 pixels wide to 480 pixels wide. :(

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3B6%3C6ot1lsi

When we got to Winston-Salem, we visited Tom & Jerry's restaurant. Don't believe me, look at the photo above! An intresting place with great Buffalo Wings! They cooked peppers into the sauce! :eek:

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C297ot1lsi

Next, we stopped at Ogden Station, near Winston-Salem's Smith Reynolds INT airport, for a photo of the sunset over the Sauratown Mountains.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C29%3Aot1lsi

Now it's time for the beautiful drive into the city! The sun sets over the skyline and I'm late for the 5pm opening by an hour or more!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3A685ot1lsi

Here it is!
Built in 1926, when Winston-Salem was North Carolina's largest city and the 37th largest industrial center in the US. Winston-Salem's City Hall North was the largest municipal building in North Carolina at that time. Just think, when this was built, Winston-Salem was the leading industrial city in the South, according to the NC Almanac.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B9%3A323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629665ot1lsi

How often do you get the chance to photograph a government building infront of security!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3A683ot1lsi

Only 4 floors tall, but it covers a very large area.

:hyper: Look it's the Mayor!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3A688ot1lsi

Meet the Mayor!
Allen Joines (Democrat) is the Mayor of Winston-Salem. He was in that same spot for around three hours, greeting citizens of the city and visitors. I actually got to talk to the Mayor! Josh was surprised that the Mayor of a large city was taking the time to open City Hall like this and greet people! He was to nervous to talk to the Mayor, but I wasn't! I told him I was photographing the building to show on the web and thanked him for opening it to the public. That was the highlight of the trip! I GOT TO MEET THE MAYOR!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A36296%3B3ot1lsi

A good "detail" photo. This photo was 800x600 until it was resized by the photo host.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3A68%3Bot1lsi

The photos with Josh and me in them were removed from the tour. Even the photos that have a reflection of us were removed from this tour.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3A679ot1lsi

Is that the Hall of Mayors!

I've always wanted to run for city office in my hometown. I'm now starting to think of running for office again, after taking this trip and following the recent election news.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C6%3C8ot1lsi

Notice the Moravian Star on the floor. The Moravian Star is a symbol of Winston-Salem and is also used on the floor of a 34 storey skyscraper across the street.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C733ot1lsi

Winston-Salem lives up to it's title as the live music capitol of NC! :D

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C6%3C9ot1lsi

This reminds me of a famous painting!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C732ot1lsi

My seat is waiting!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C6%3C%3Bot1lsi

The walls are original in these rooms. They were restored to their original appearance using paint samples and old photos. This room was a surprise. They didn't know the original walls were still there until they removed the sheetrock covering them.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A36296%3A8ot1lsi

:order: The Mayor's seat!
He has a timer and a TV monitor, watching the room. I wanted to sit there, and no one tried stopped me. :eek:

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A36296%3A%3Aot1lsi

The ceiling, I have to give a complete tour, you know. ;)

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A36296%3B2ot1lsi

I need a new server for these photos! The quality at that site is very poor!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3B6%3C8ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A36296%3B4ot1lsi

Old Buildings are great!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B9%3A323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629658ot1lsi

They just don't build them like this anymore!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B9%3A323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362965%3Bot1lsi

The building has elevators, if you don't want to take the stairs!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B9%3A323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629663ot1lsi

A piano player plays, as people explore the historic structure. It's great to see so many people that like old buildings like this one, and are willing to take time out of their day, on Thursday at 5pm, to explore a historic building.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B9%3A323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629659ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C295ot1lsi

The Council Chamber!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629542ot1lsi

Look at that beautiful wood! Wood panels create a warm feeling in a room.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629544ot1lsi

It looks like the original finish (on the walls)?

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629545ot1lsi

Old photos are always cool! This is how the room looked 50 years ago.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362953%3Bot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A3629546ot1lsi

So, you want to ride in one of the two elevators?

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3B735ot1lsi

:D The Hall of Mayors Part II!

My friend disappeared not long after I met the mayor. I was trying to find him. It turns out, he was in the basement talking to the security guard for half an hour or more! That distracted me from taking more photos. I don't want to leave my best friend in a city 170 miles from home! Most of the photos in the basement have us in them and will not be seen on this tour.

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3B6%3C9ot1lsi

I can show you this one. It's on the National Register of Historic Places, if you can read that? I don't know why they placed that in the basement?

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B92%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3B6%3C%3Aot1lsi

The original City Hall from the 1800's. It was replaced by a 25 storey art deco skyscraper in the late 1920's, after this building was built. The clock and bells are in a 1920's Moravian Church downtown, near Winston Square Park, in the historic Holley Avenue District. Notice the old mailbox below this photo!

:( It's time to go back home Asheville (Arden). I did a little exploring around Winston-Salem, but it was too dark to take any photos and it was too cold for me. This is the trip I took the night photos of Ashley Village on. If you would like to see that high density neo-urbanist neighborhood, just let me know. I will share it and use a better photo host!

http://images.snapfish.com/3398%3B96723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D9%3A9%3D875%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A362%3C296ot1lsi

On the way back home, I took a photo of Asheville Regional Airport, near my house in the Fletcher/Arden area. It was decorated for Christmas and right at the highway exit for my house. I still had a few photos left to take on my card, so why not. It's way off subject though. :haha:

Thank you for taking the time to enjoy these! Let me know if you like them and what you think below. Also let me know below if you want to see Winston-Salem's Ashley Village.

Thanks again,

-Matt D.

[zigzag]

Very cool tour, thx for posting.8)

[Matthew]

Thanks for the replies.

Winston-Salem is the place to find historic City Halls. Did you know the original two-and-a-half storey Salem City Hall from 1797 is still standing on Main Street. Just a few blocks north of that City Hall is the 2nd three storey Salem City Hall from 1823. One street over from that City Hall, is Salem Town Hall from 1909! All of the City Halls in Winston-Salem are restored and are used for everything from a chuch office building to a private residence to an office for a graphic design firm. :eek:

[Matthew]

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3222/161skylinenight.jpg

I thought I would post a better copy of this photo. It's one of the more intresting from the photo shoot. I don't think anyone else on these forums has tried a skyline shot like this? I believe it's the first one of it's kind on the forum. :)

[LSyd]

cool thread, but is there a pic of the exterior of the City Hall in there?

I've seen other sunset-skyline photos on these forums though, so you're not the first.

http://threatcon.net/~steves/harden3.jpg

I put this one of Columbia up about a year ago, although the sun hasn't set as much as in your pic.

-

[yadkinv]

WOW Matthew - great photos. You do excellent work!

[ncvwgtiboi]

Yes, that is a beautiful City Hall and you did a great job of capturing it in photos. So why all the secrecy of not posting pictures that have you in them? You could have posted, not said anything about it, and no one would have noticed.

[atlantaguy]

These were great Matthew.

Was the mayor friendly and approachable?

Winston-Salem sure does seem to have its act together.

[Matthew]

He was a really nice guy! He was there at the door just talking to people as they walked in. He walked up to me as I walked towards the stairs.

That is not just a skyline photo, it's a silhouette. I think that is the first silhouette skyline photo posted? It requires a lot of guesswork and a very short exposure. If I had a little more sunlight, I could have gone a little darker and it wouldn't have the lights in the windows.

I still find it hard to believe only one representive from Winston-Salem likes these. Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll look for a exterior photo. I don't think I've ever taken the time to photograph the exterior of this structure? I may have to find a photo on the web. In the 4th photo, you can see the exterior around the time it was built. It hasn't changed at all. It still looks like that. I would've taken a facade photo, but it was too dark. Josh got up too late. I said 8 or 9 am, he didn't get to my house in Arden until around 1 pm. He's from Brevard.

About the photos of us. I always ask my friends and family traveling with me on these trips if they want to be on the internet (this forum). 80% of the time the answer is yes or it's ok to post a photo of that person. This was one of the other 20% times when someone said no and he didn't say no until after the trip. He was in almost every basement photo I had. Both my mom and sister also don't want to be seen on this forum. Someone said something about her once, on one of these forums, she didn't like. Joey holds the record for most trips with me and most appearances in my photos and on a single thread. Amanda appeared on an Asheville and the Knoxville threads. Blake was in a Charlotte thread and an Asheville thread once and Alex in a Winston-Salem thread. I think my friends just like going somewhere. I don't think they care for skyscrapers or architecture. Joey said he is planning to move to Winston-Salem. I think he fell in love with the place after going there on so many of these trips. He is already looking at apartments and condos in and around downtown. If you want to see a photo of me, I'll find a recent photo and share it. I'll try to find a good one. I remember taking one at Mountain Vintage recently with one of our dogs. I think I may have that photo somewhere? Let me know if you want to see me. I still look about the same as I did in past photos.

[Style]

Matt, PM me next time you make a thread with photos and dont have 'photos' in the title. ;) With this slow forum I check fewer and fewer threads. :(



Other than that, great photos! :tup:
Looks very nice! Never would guess they have all the technology they do behind the old style things.

[Raleigh-NC]

Great pics, Matthew!!! This city hall truly looks fantastic. It seems that you were right there when "things happened" :) That's what I call a true reporter!!!

[Matthew]

I didn't notice all the hidden technology until you said something, but there is a lot of stuff hidden in the furniture and around the building. Anyone think the Mayor is surfing the forums during meetings on his hidden laptop computer? :D

I knew this event was going to happen and planned a trip there just to see it. A few days earlier, the new 7 storey Forsyth County Office Building had a open house too! I wanted to attend that, but I had final exams to take. I wasn't expecting to shake hands with the Mayor and learn the history of the building from a city councilman! That city is in good hands. It's great to find elected officials who are willing to take the time to talk to the people and show them around on their own free time. I often times don't know if I should PM other members when I post these threads? I've had at least three people (from outside Winston-Salem) ask to be PM'ed when Winston-Salem threads are posted. I don't know if they are just being nice or if they really want to see these. The 5/1 goal for this thread was met, and that means I'm planning a possible March trip to explore Millionaire's Row in Washington Park, The Shell, The Vintage Theatre, a restaurant in a restored 20's gas station and if I have time, a tour of 250 year-old buildings and houses in Bethabra Park. I will PM those who want to know when the tour is uploaded. Until then, I'll try to get my SC Mountains photos on the forum. Anyone from the Asheville-Hendersonville area who would like to go, let me know! I want to leave early in the morning, in late March, for the trip. At night, we can enjoy the nightlife. I will check to see what bands are performing and what arts events are going on for that night.

[Raleigh-NC]

I am looking forward to more photos. Try to post them in the "City Photos" section for higher visibility among the forumers. You did a great job with this one!!!

[Style]

I didn't notice all the hidden technology until you said something, but there is a lot of stuff hidden in the furniture and around the building. Anyone think the Mayor is surfing the forums during meetings on his hidden laptop computer? :D



We all know he checks SSP to get the current issues before he votes on anything. :D

[Matthew]

Thanks Raleigh-NC!

It would be cool if the mayor joined the forum! "What's the forum's opinion of this proposal before City Council." :D

I finally found a photo of this building's exterior. I know it's old, but it hasn't changed. It still looks exactly the same. Same windows, same stone work, same metal work, same everything.

http://65.61.2.57/723.jpg

They just don't allow people to park cars infront of it anymore!

I think the architect who designed Winston-Salem's City Hall also designed the one in Providence, RI in the exact same style?

I didn't know George Washington spent "two" nights in Winston-Salem in 1791? He usually only spends one night in a city. I know he met the Governor in Winston-Salem on that trip. The Governor at that time lived near Winston-Salem. I think the state capitol was in New Bern back then. Raleigh wasn't founded until 1792. That building is still a big tourist attraction for downtown Winston-Salem today! :eek:

[yadkinv]

It's actually Salem Tavern, a functioning upscale restaurant isn't it?

[Matthew]

Yes, it is Salem Tavern. The Moravian Archives tell a very intresting story of his visit to Winston-Salem, if anyone wants to know more. George Washington was into Beer, Women, Music and War. Back then, the Moravian Church owned a Brewery and had a popular band that played almost non-stop! The Czech people invented their own beer (Lager) and were heavy drinkers. They keep filling your mug until you told them to stop. He had a lot of fun and spoke very highly of Winston-Salem and it's women. I guess all of that is the reason why he stayed so long and wrote a letter to the city? There's some talk of bringing back an "Old Salem" line of Beer and serve it in the old pub or build a new pub in Old Salem or Downtown! That would be intresting! There's a lot of exciting things happening around the Old Salem historic district these days!

[yadkinv]

There is some indication that Old Salem might get into the beer business by establiahing a Moravian or Czech style brewery, probably to be located adjacent or near the new visitor center, which is across from the restored village. I haven't found any definite info, but it's more than talk, I think. It's possible then, that downtown could eventually have two and possibly a third microbrewery. There's the one to open on 4th Street between the Nissen Building and Unity Place, and there's the possibility of the one at Old Salem. Also, a year or so back, a couple of guys indicated they were going to open a German style microbrewery downtown, and they even had a website. But it must of fallen through beccause there seems to be no evidence of it now.

By the way, Old Salem keeps hinting at some big possibilities that are outside of their contributions to the Southeast Gateway, but there being tight lipped about it?

As an aside the Czechs also invented Pilsner beer, and in fact this generic type takes its name from the city of Pilsen (Plzen) in the western Czech Republic (Czechia) where it was invented. I've been to the Pilsner Urquill brewery in Pilsen. It's fine beer, and much of the U.S. variety is Pilsner and modeled after the beer from this region. Further, the original Budweiser, established in the 15th century I believe, anyway long before the one in Saint Louis, is also in the western Czech Republic. Their longstanding (over 100 years) battle with Anhauser Busch is another story.

[Matthew]

The only mico-brewery I was aware of was 680 Brewing Company on 4th Street? They are opening in June, if I'm not mistaken? An Old Salem Brewery on Trade, Burke Street or Unity Place would be nice! I think the next major street for development is Liberty Street. That wouldn't be a bad location and Old Salem Brewery, along with Thea's House of Blues would lead the way on Liberty. I would like to see them in a historic skyscraper, such as O'hanlon Building, Pepper Building, Nissen Apartments or 8 W Third (North Carolina's oldest skyscraper).

I thought the Salem location would be inside Old Salem historic district? What are they building on the old Visitor's Center site? I know it was slated for demolishion back in December. I was there in December, but I didn't drive by the visitor's center site. I didn't get any Moravian Cookies on my last two trips. :(

I think Old Salem is planning to build a brewery as a way to make a little extra cash. It's a non-profit, but they use all they money they make to restore buildings, maintain the multiple museums they run and expand. A very good cause to support for beer drinkers! An Old Salem brewery and a downtown brewery could bring in a lot of money for them. The Old Salem name is very valuable in it's ability to attract tourists and locals alike. It's also a great story of Old Salem that isn't told, but should be! We'll see what happens!

I would like to know what's up with the old Visitor's Center site? Have they demolished anything yet? What will go there and does anyone have any renderings?

:cheers: To Historic Preservation! :cheers:

[basket1058]

I remember seeing this in some article about Old Salem, but i'm not sure which, that the old vistor center is going to be torn down so they can put in a horticultural garden. I think this would be more in keeping with records that showed gardens originally being there. Though I had heard that Old Salem wanted to take the Antique furniture mall across from the Visitor's Center and turn it into apartments.