Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Salem celebrates its historic role in July Fourth celebrations

Old Salem docent gives a tour.
Photograph by Claire Smithers.
Old Salem Education Coordinator Jacob Chilton gives a tour on May 21 for Freedom Day at Old Salem.

Fourth of July celebrations are centuries old, and among the first took place in Salem, North Carolina.

From articles in The Pennsylvania Gazette, Journal, Evening Post, and others, we know when, where, and how the very first Independence Day celebrations were held: July 4, 1777, Philadelphia, and, according to The Post story, it was celebrated with “demonstrations of joy and festivity.” Beginning at noon, armed ships and gallies docked in the river facing the city, and an hour later, the revelry began by discharging 13 cannons in honor of the 13 United States.

Among those states was North Carolina. Six years later, following the end of the Revolutionary War, the first official celebration in that state — and possibly the entire American South — took place in Salem.

The Moravians who lived there were fastidious record keepers, and through the archives, we know that on July 4, 1783, Gov. Alexander Martin announced a Day of Thanksgiving for Peace.

Old Salem Education Coordinator Jacob Chilton says the ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a religious service filled with song.

"Singing began with a hymn, ‘O thou whose goodness no tongue can tell,’" says Chilton. "And the congregation marched in procession between the two Brothers' Houses to the tavern along the road by Shaubs, one of the residents, and back to the Gemeinhaus House full of praise and thanksgiving. At close, the choir sang the benediction."

For the Moravians, relief at the end of the war came from years of being essentially caught in the middle of the two warring parties. Coming from what is today modern Germany, they were living on land held in a trust in London. But the majority of their neighbors, living in the backwoods of North Carolina on the edge of the frontier, identified as American patriots.

Chilton says both sides demanded supplies and support from the Moravians, who felt obliged to comply.

“So, the Moravians didn’t really see a way to win in this case,” he says. “For them, what made the most sense and what was most in line with their faith was respecting whoever the legitimate authority was, whether that was the king or the local congressional bodies, and maintaining a semblance of peace.”

Fourth of July 2025 celebrations at Old Salem begin at 10 a.m. with fife and drum in Salem Square, followed by the Moravian Brass Band, readings of the Declaration of Independence, and more.

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate