New Winston Museum relocating

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

As part of the process of identifying a new permanent location for New Winston Museum, the organization has sold its property on South Marshall Street and is relocating its offices to the former Winston-Salem Journal building on North Marshall Street.

“We are currently evaluating potential sites for a permanent home for the museum, one that will allow us to grow our efforts to preserve and promote the dynamic history of the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County community,” said Dr. Michael Wakeford, chairman of the museum’s board of directors.

“Key features of a new location will be better visibility and greater capacity to welcome school buses,’ he continued. “We want to be a bigger part of increasing young people’s awareness of this area’s rich history, and of making them excited about becoming history-makers them-selves.”

“The property at 713 and 717 South Marshall Street, which Frank Borden Hanes Sr., donated for the purpose of opening New Winston Museum, has been a wonderful inaugural home,” Wakeford added. “With his generosity and the support of many others, we were able to upfit the space and launch the museum. We have accomplished so much in the last five years, and we’re excited about what the future holds.”

While the museum’s holdings will be in storage until a new location is ready, the museum will continue active programs throughout the community.

“While the transition process could take approximately two years, New Winston Museum will exist as a museum without walls,” said Milton Rhodes, interim executive director.  “We will continue our signature Salon Series programs at locations throughout the community. Additionally, our oral history initiative, StoryTap, continues to grow and will bring us to communities across Forsyth County. We will also introduce new exhibits and resources on our website and, as always, we will actively seek out opportunities for collaboration with our community partners.”

The museum’s second quarter Salon Series – “craftXws: Tradition and Innovation in Fine Craft” –is underway and is continuing May 18 and June 25 at the Center for Design Innovation (CDI).  A collaboration with Piedmont Craftsmen and the CDI, the programs will include panel discussions with artists, craftspeople, collectors and historians focusing on the dynamic craft culture of the Winston-Salem area that began in the time of Moravian settlements. A series on Winston-Salem’s African-American neighborhoods will follow in the fall.

About the New Winston Museum

The mission of the New Winston Museum is to preserve, promote, and present the dynamic history and diverse stories of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community through education and collaboration. Visit the web-site at www.newwinston.org.