I’ve said it before and will say it again, Miami has some interesting, and often very entertaining, history.
Most of my Miami friends know I am involved with a historic preservation group called The Villagers. Formed in 1966, the group is the oldest preservation group in the area and has been the catalyst for identifying and saving much of Miami-Dade’s unique history, with more than 150 projects funded, benefiting more than 75 historic sites and organizations.
That being said, even those who support our fundraising events often don’t understand how we put our money to work. The group has just completed a two-and-a-half-minute video (see below) that demonstrates the types of restoration The Villagers fund. It features work-in-progress at the iconic Vizcaya, historic properties of the Coral Gables Garden Club and Coral Gables Woman’s Club, and the Doc Thomas House which is home of the Tropical Audubon Society. Check out The Villagers’ website for more details.
Fall colors X 2.
Even though it’s getting close to Halloween, don’t confuse this Salem with witches, rituals, and trials. Old Salem, NC is a historic living history museum, the site of a Moravian community of German-speaking immigrants who settled in the area in 1766. Steeped in history, the Salem Tavern once hosted George Washington while he was touring local battlefields. Usually, Old Salem is a thriving area featuring reenactments of life as it was in the 1700 and 1800s, with visitors roaming the streets moving in and out of the buildings, about 70 % of which are original. In normal times, several restaurants are open, historic shops sell deliciously sweet Moravian sugar cookies, and historic buildings house all sorts of demonstrations and exhibits.
The iconic and beautiful Moravian star.These days the shops and sites are closed due to Covid-19, but the grounds are open to visitors. It made a nice setting for a photo walk/drive, a pleasant diversion during our recent task-oriented visit to Winston-Salem. It was a nice contrast to my past visits and although I missed the chance to get some cookies – there is always their mail-order museum shop! Tourists might be scarce, but workers were busy with restoration work in some of the buildings as well as on the streets.
Trivia Tip of the Day: Salem was originally known as Wachovia
Founded in 1772, Salem College was the first all-girls school in the US and the oldest women’s college in the South.
The Mickey Coffee Pot Marker was erected in 1858, originally outside a tinsmith shop. The 7′ tall pot would be able to hold 740 gallons if any giants are interested.
The Single Brothers’ House was completed in 1769 and housed the unmarried men of the community. 
I had a really tough time trying to decide what inspired me, which is why I am so tardy with this post (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #115: Inspiration). Finally, I decided I’m inspired by change. Half a century ago, a famous politician said, “Change is the law of life.” I won’t name the politician because I don’t want this to be considered political. Change really is a constant factor in life, bad or good. I simply feel with all the chaos in 2020, the world is ready for something different.
Fall is a season of change and October the beginning of my favorite time of the year. I am working hard to focus on the positives this year’s global changes have brought (time to think, focus on family, a pause for the environment, reconnecting with friends . . . . you can fill in others.) I don’t want to just wait for change, this year has inspired me to make some personal changes as well.
So, on that note . . . here’s to a Happy Fall Y’all.
