MUSE Winston-Salem

05/28/2026

Interested in learning about volunteer opportunities at MUSE Winston-Salem? We're hosting an open house for prospective volunteers on June 24th! For more information and to register for the event, visit this link:

Our building is newly renovated and our exhibits are coming! But we're already running tours and ticketed events and identifying various needs for volunteers to help bring MUSE Winston-Salem to life! If you're interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities that are available now and other...

05/28/2026

We're excited to see the results of last night's overnite installation of 'Invasive Hope', the city's newest public art! Lots of the dandelion-themed work is down Salem Parkway nearer the baseball park, but we love this little sprig that popped up on the Church St. bridge (see the always-mischievous MUSEws roof photobombing in the background!). Welcome to the neighborhood! City of Winston-Salem, NC - Government Truist Park Downtown Winston-Salem

05/22/2026

What an honor to host Frank V. Tursi and a packed house tonight!

05/21/2026

Register by tomorrow at 10am and be eligible to win a free copy of next month's NC Reads selection! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afternoon-coffee-book-discussion-registration-1989727400216?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/20/2026

Join MUSE Winston-Salem and Bookmarks for a discussion of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark by Leigh Ann Henion; Tuesday, June 16th, 4:00pm, at MUSEws, 226 S. Liberty Street in the heart of Winston-Salem.

PLUS, we'll be joined by special guest Paul Garber. A veteran journalist, master naturalist, and acoustic storyteller, Garber is founder of SouthernSoundways.com. At this event, Garber will share some of his favorite nocturnal soundscapes.

REGISTER NOW AT: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afternoon-coffee-book-discussion-registration-1989727400216

There are THREE great ways to get a copy of the book:
--10 free copies of the book are available on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve a free copy, register on Eventbrite now! The first 10 registrants will receive a free copy.
--5 more copies will be distributed via random drawing. Register by 10am on Friday, May 22nd to be entered.
--Or, just buy a copy at Bookmarks, in-person or online. When you register here, we'll send you an exclusive "Afternoon Coffee & Book Discussion" discount code to get 20% off the book at Bookmarks!

About NC Reads:
MUSE Winston-Salem and Bookmarks will host monthly “Afternoon Coffee & Book Discussion” gatherings during the months of February through June. These events are made possible through North Carolina Humanities’ North Carolina Reads statewide book club program.

NC Reads annually features five books that explore the history and culture of North Carolina. “Afternoon Coffee & Book Discussions” offer participants an opportunity to participate in a relaxed conversation about each book, though you do not need to have read the book to attend. Each event features a guest commenter/moderator who further enriches the discussion by sharing their own perspective and expertise. All events are free.

05/19/2026

Ada Limón's words at tonight's Winston-Salem Foundation annual convening, POETRY, PLACE, POSSIBILITY, were so inspiring. This quote, in particular, reminded MUSEws of our own commitment to "the great book of all of us." When we designed our new logo a few years ago, in fact, we embraced the image of a collectively authored book, always open, filled with old stories and ready to receive new ones.

05/17/2026

The morning paper tells us that history was made last night as 17-yr-old Slate Myers won his first ever race in the Modified division and extended his family's legacy of winning at Bowman Gray Stadium to a 4th generation. The Myers family goes way back in the Winston-Salem area. Slate Myers' father, Burt Myers, is a Bowman Gray racing legend, with 122 career wins, and his father Gary won 38 times.The family's legend began with Slate's great-grandfather Billy (and his brother Bobby). Billy, who lived most of his life in Forsyth County and ran a garage in Germanton, won 22 races there before his death at the young age of 33. On April 12, 1958, Billy Myers was mid-race at Bowman Gray when witnesses say he slumped over his steering wheel and veered off the track, dead of a heart attack.

05/14/2026

MUSE Winston-Salem executive director, Mike Wakeford, and assistant director, Alanna Meltzer-Holderfield will co-present this program at the N.C. Transportation Museum tomorrow. If you’re in the area, join them to hear all about the history of Nissen Wagon Works in Forsyth County. Registration required—follow the link in the post.

Join us for our final presentation in a series highlighting the history of transportation as part of the America 250 Semiquincentennial celebration.

The presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude after one hour. This is a free event that does not require museum admission, but all attendees must pre-register for this presentation. A shuttle bus will be in operation before and after the presentation to transport attendees from parking lot to designated building.

“History of the Nissen Wagon Works in NC” - Thursday, May 14 / 7 p.m. Nissen Wagon Works began operation in 1834 and stopped operations in the 1940s. Founded by John Philip Nissen, the company produced many wagons that were used for agricultural and general transport. Nissen was located near Waughton, which is now a part of the city of Winston-Salem. Learn about the company and the height of production, which at the time
Nissen produced up to 50 wagons daily and became one of the South’s largest manufacturers at the height of production.

Hosted by Dr. Mike Wakeford, professor of history and humanities at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Alanna Meltzer-Holderfield, Assistant Director of MUSE Winston-Salem. The presentation will take place in the museum’s Back Shop building near the wagon exhibit.

Register and learn more at: https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-nc/

05/12/2026

Today was a special day at MUSE Winston-Salem! We welcomed this 1905 American LaFrance steam fire engine into our core exhibit gallery! This steam fire engine was purchased by the Salem Fire Department in 1905 and one of its bases was the Rough and Ready fire house across the street from the museum, on S. Liberty Street. After the merger of Winston and Salem in 1913, the steam engine continued to be used occasionally until the mid-1920s.

We are so excited to have this important artifact at the museum and be able to share it with the community. Thanks to all who helped make this happen: the Wachovia Historical Society, (owners of the steam engine), Old Salem Museums & Gardens, -Salem Fire Department (big thanks to WSFD Chief Trey Mayo for spending time with us today and helping in this process), City of Winston-Salem, NC - Government, Winston-Salem Fire & Rescue Historical Society, and Fulp's Wrecker Service, Inc. for safely transporting this piece of Winston-Salem history!

05/12/2026

We're just a week away from our next "Afternoon Coffee & Book Discussion." And here's an update! Author Ron Rash will make a special virtual visit to the event! It's not too late to register! [Plus, you're welcome to come even if you haven't read the book!]

a stimulating discussion of Ron Rash's The Caretaker: A Novel