Southern Furniture & American Identity

October 23-24, 2026 Winston-Salem, NC

 

Southern Furniture & American Identity
A MESDA Furniture Seminar
October 23-24, 2026
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

 

Please plan to join us in Winston-Salem or online for this two day seminar. Participants will engage in two days of lectures, including a keynote address by Dr. Tiffany Momon, Associate Professor of History at Sewanee: The University of the South and Founder of the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive, as well as opportunities to participate in pre-conference workshops and a furniture open house in MESDA’s study galleries.

 

REGISTRATION (Opening in March!)

Conference Registration $395.00 | $385.00 Society Level Members*
Registration includes two pastry breakfasts, two lunches, a keynote reception, all lectures, and access to the lecture recordings.
   
Virtual Ticket Donation Suggested
Registration includes access to a live zoom link the days of the conference and limited time access to the lectures for two months.

 

SPEAKERS

Tiffany Momon, Associate Professor of History, Sewanee: The University of the South

Lydia Blackmore, Curator of Decorative Arts, The Historic New Orleans Collection

Tara Chicirda, Senior Curator of Furniture, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Annabeth Dooley, Independent Scholar

Jeff Evans, Owner and Scholar, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Philippe Halbert, Curator of Decorative Arts & Design, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Emilie Johnson, Curator of Arts & History, Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Steve Latta, Professor of Cabinetmaking and Wood Technology, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Grahame Long, Executive Director of Collections and Deputy Chief Curator, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Melissa Naulin, Independent Scholar

William Strollo, Curator of Old Salem and Historic Building Interiors, Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Sarah Towers, Associate Conservator of Upholstery & Wooden Artifacts, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

 

 

PROGRAM GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY:

 

TRAVEL DETAILS
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts is one of the museums at Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  MESDA is located in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center at 924 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC  27101.  Seminar lectures will take place in the James A. Gray Auditorium at the Old Salem Visitor Center at 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27101.

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Seminar Hotel:

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The Historic Brookstown Inn
200 Brookstown Ave
Winston-Salem, NC  27101
1-336-701-3904
Group Name: MESDA October
Last day to book: September 21  
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CANCELLATION POLICY

Registrants who cancel at least two weeks prior to a program will receive a full refund minus a $50 handling fee.  No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur less than two weeks prior to the event.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts follows the inclement weather policies of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  When OSMG is closed, the museum is closed as well.  Should this occur, the seminar will be cancelled and refunds will be issued.  For your own protection, please consider travel insurance to cover fees involved with cancelling hotel reservations.