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History In A Nutshell… Literally! Check Out Old Salem’s Museum Of Curious Things

This exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to see some of the really unusual things Moravians created out of innovation that are generally not on exhibit.

Old Salem is open almost every day of the year, but there are some items in the museum’s collection that you won’t find just any day.

The Museum of Curious Things features items that are often in storage and are not things that people see on a regular basis.

They’re also just very unusual: A bonnet woven from human hair, a 150-year-old biscuit preserved in a canning jar, and a pair of knit booties made out of poodle hair.

… Exactly!

According to Johanna Brown, Curator of Moravian Decorative Arts at Old Salem, the unique, hands-on exhibit is part of the museum's Activate Main Street program.

"We have developed a lot of hand-on workshops to bring people in and give them fully-immersive experiences," Brown shared in an interview.

It's not unknown to many that Moravian were particularly creative and innovative. Take their intrinsic handcrafted paper Moravian stars, for exmple.

But this exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to see some of the really unusual things Moravians created out of innovation that are generally not on exhibit.

"Each one has a little bit of an unusual story," Brown added.

Here’s a list of the most unusual items you’ll find at the exhibit:

Poodle Hair Knit Booties

Credit: WFMY News 2

Handcrafted Paper Valentines Cards

Credit: WFMY News 2

A Century-Old Civil War Biscuit or “Hardtack”

Credit: WFMY News 2

A Bonnet Woven From Human Hair

Credit: WFMY News 2

Framed Woven Flowers From Human Hair

Credit: WFMY News 2

History Notes Inside a Walnut Shell

Credit: WFMY News 2

A Deer Liver Stone Thought To Cure Rabies

Credit: WFMY News 2

Civil War Magician Gus Reich’s Magic Tricks

Credit: WFMY News 2

19th Century Dentures

Credit: WFMY News 2

Interested in more? You can register for the next Museum of Curious Things workshop on Saturday, January 26 here.

Before You Leave, Check This Out