Muddy Creek Cafe at Old Salem

09/12/2026

Scout Day is almost here!

This Saturday 9/12, Old Salem welcomes troops from Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and ScoutsBSA to join us for a day full of hands-on activities, learning, and even badge-earning opportunities (including the exclusive Old Salem badge!)

Visit us at oldsalem.org/event/scout-day for more info, or call the Visitor Center at (336) 721-7350. See you soon!

09/12/2026

09/10/2026

Homeschool Day is tomorrow!

Are you a homeschooler looking to create your own field trip, with curriculum-based learning objectives? Look no further! These specialty dates are reserved just for homeschoolers, with no other school groups booked.

Doors open at 10:00 AM tomorrow, and we look forward to greeting your young learners! ✨️

Questions? Call our Visitor Center at (336) 721-7350

09/09/2026

Did the original settlers of Salem eat ice cream?
Probably not. 😄

But there IS a wonderful old Moravian story about a summertime church celebration where the ice cream was such a hit, they ran out — and someone was sent off to milk a neighbor’s cow so they could make more.

Now THAT is commitment to dessert.

Thankfully, no emergency cow-milking is required at the Muddy Creek Cafe Ice Cream counter. 🍦

If you haven’t wandered “around the corner” to find us yet, make today the day. Scoops and cones — and soon, a few more goodies worth wandering downstairs for.

Because apparently, in Salem, we’ve been taking ice cream pretty seriously for a very long time.

09/08/2026

Old Salem in September… 🍂☀️

Sunny afternoons. Brick sidewalks. 250 years of history. And soon, longer hours at the Muddy Creek Cafe.

Because you can only absorb so much history before you need an ice cream cone. 🍦

Stay tuned. We’ll be ready.

Cheers!

Muddy Creek Cafe: Open 11 to 3, Wed thru Saturday.
Extended hours starting Sept. 17, 2026

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

So, who exactly was T. Bagge?

If you've visited the Muddy Creek Cafe in Old Salem, you know we're located in the T. Bagge Building, built in 1775. And with our little T. Bagge Cellar downstairs coming to life, we thought you should meet the man behind the name.

And oh, he was a character.
Traugott Bagge was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1729, trained in the merchant trade, spent time in England, and eventually made his way to Wachovia in 1768.

And Brother Bagge got around.
He traveled on business to Philadelphia and Charleston, with trading connections stretching from New England to Georgia and even Europe. His store became a place where Salem encountered goods, news and ideas from far beyond the little Moravian town.

When Salem's musicians needed violin strings, Bagge stocked those, too. Records even show him noting that his strings were too coarse for hot weather and promising to find finer ones. 🎻

And apparently, Brother Bagge had a little...personality.
Historical accounts describe him as occasionally “choleric” and frequently at odds with his apprentices. Even better, his agreement to operate Salem's store specifically instructed him to be “modest in manners” with his customers.

Which makes us wonder just how badly he needed that reminder.

So don't picture a mild-mannered shopkeeper.
Picture a worldly merchant. Traveler. Businessman. Purveyor of interesting things. Particular about things. And occasionally a little difficult. In other words...our kind of character.

Nearly 250 years later, we're having a little fun bringing that spirit back downstairs at the T. Bagge Cellar at the Muddy Creek Cafe.

Interesting things. Good food. B**r & w**e. Music. Conversation. And perhaps just a touch of eccentricity.
We think Brother Bagge would approve. 😉

09/05/2026

September is coming in HOT! 🔥🍂🎶

Labor Day weekend is the perfect time for a wander through Old Salem—gardens, historic streets, a little shopping...and, of course, lunch + Tillamook Ice Cream at Muddy Creek. But don't put that calendar away just yet. September is going to be a GOOD one!

🎸 FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 | 7PM
Alex Misko + Forest Bailey
Two extraordinary fingerstyle guitarists, one tiny Listening Room. Misko is an international guitar phenomenon with more than a million YouTube followers, and Forest Bailey brings his own brilliant mix of fingerstyle, tapping + percussion.
$25 advance / $30 day of show

🎸 FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 | 7PM
Pierre Bensusan
This one is pretty special. The French virtuoso known as “Mister DADGAD” is considered one of the great acoustic guitarists of our time—and he's coming to our little 50-seat Listening Room in Old Salem. ❤️
$40 advance / $45 day of show

🪕 SUNDAY, SEPT. 20 | 2PM
Dear MariBella & the Pigkickers
A delightful family bluegrass band with Blue Ridge roots, sibling banter and a whole lot of heart. MerleFest performers, IBMA youth-stage veterans and recent opening act for the legendary Sam Bush!
$15 advance / $20 door

🎨 FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 | 6–8PM
Artist Meet & Greet: Miche Lane + Janice Weiss
You've seen their beautiful artwork throughout the café—now come meet the artists! Live music by Laura Clay, complimentary light refreshments, art, supper, b**r + w**e...and a lovely early-fall evening in Old Salem.
No cover!

AND...one more thing. 👀
Beginning Thursday, September 17, we're staying OPEN LATE! The Muddy Creek Cafe AND our new lower-level T. Bagge Cellar will be open for supper, ice cream, b**r + w**e and a whole new way to enjoy evenings in Old Salem.

Historic streets. Great food. World-class music. Local art. And a 250-year-old building that's about to get a little livelier after dark.
September looks awfully good from here. 🍂

See you in Old Salem!

09/04/2026

Here's what's happening at the Muddy Creek Cafe in SPARTA!