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Historic Warehouse Turned Bed and Breakfast Within Walking Distance of Old Salem

You’d be forgiven for mistaking The Brookstown Inn for a warehouse, based on its exterior alone. That’s because it was once a warehouse—and still technically is. The four-story brick building, originally constructed in 1837, housed a successful textile mill up until the mid-1920s. For the next half century, it operated as a warehouse for a local storage company. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s—when the building was slated for demolition—that local historians identified it as the city’s oldest factory. Soon after, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the warehouse was converted into The Brookstown Inn. Today, the elegant bed and breakfast pays homage to its past by incorporating the warehouse’s exposed-brick walls and wooden beams into its aesthetic.

Brookstown’s innkeepers include an array of little perks to brighten your stay. Each evening, head to the parlor to partake in a complimentary wine-and-cheese reception. You’ll receive fresh cookies and milk at bedtime, and in the morning, a complimentary continental breakfast awaits. The inn is located just a short walk away from historic Old Salem, where you can shop, dine, and learn more about Winston-Salem’s beginnings.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Historical Moravian Roots and American Art

Located in north-central North Carolina, Winston-Salem—along with the towns of Greensboro and High Point—is part of the trifecta known as the Piedmont Triad. Up until 1913, the towns of Winston and Salem were separate entities. Salem was founded first, in 1766, by Moravians who were escaping religious persecution in the present-day Czech Republic. Winston came along nearly a century later, in 1851, as a more secular town that would become an industrial center for tobacco and textile manufacturing. In 1913, the two fused into a single city.

Today, the Moravian influence is still evident in Old Salem Museums & Gardens, where a massive preservation effort led to the restoration of more than 30 historic buildings. Wander about the colorful restaurants and shops with façades decked out in authentic moravian earthy hues of reds, yellows, and browns.

Winston-Salem’s six colleges and universities help contribute to the city’s long-standing emphasis on education and art. Visit the Reynolda House Museum of American Art to glimpse paintings and sculptures by American artists including Albert Bierstadt, Mary Cassatt, and Frederic Church.

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