Old Salem Museums & Gardens is one of the Triad’s most iconic historic destinations — a place where the stories of Moravian settlers, enslaved and free people of African descent, and Indigenous communities are preserved and shared through immersive, hands-on experiences. With a 30-building campus that includes the Historic Town of Salem, galleries at the Frank L. Horton Museum Center, the renowned Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), and extensive historic gardens, Old Salem offers one of the most comprehensive views of life in the early American South.

Protecting such a meaningful and artifact-rich campus requires modern safety systems that blend seamlessly into historic environments. That’s where ACE-HTI comes in. Our team supports Old Salem with campus-wide fire alarm systems, smoke beam, heat fire detection, and comprehensive security monitoring across all buildings. These systems operate quietly in the background — safeguarding priceless decorative arts, original architecture, cultural landscapes, and daily visitor operations. 

To better understand the unique safety needs of a historic site on this scale, we spoke with Erik Skarzynski, Director of Facilities at Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Erik shared that ease of use and overall functionality were important priorities across their properties. With centralized monitoring now covering every building, he says one of the biggest advantages is the comfort of knowing that “everything in all 30 buildings is being looked after.” 

Because many structures house one-of-a-kind artifacts — from 18th-century furniture and ceramics to paintings, textiles, and architectural elements — Old Salem often requires solutions outside a typical installation. Erik noted that ACE-HTI’s approach has consistently been to think creatively and tailor systems to their environment, saying we “have an eye for thinking out of the box and coming up with special solutions” that respect both the historic fabric and the operational needs of the museum. 

Our relationship with Old Salem extends well beyond installation. From fire alarm design to system inspections, device repairs, security upgrades, and responsive support from our monitoring center, ACE-HTI works closely with their team to ensure systems remain reliable year-round. Erik spoke highly of his experience with our staff, especially highlighting Betsy Rouse as his go-to contact: “Always super helpful and professional… she has always come through for us whatever the problem may be.” 

Old Salem also shared that donations play a key role in preserving their historic buildings, maintaining their collections, and supporting the interpretation of the early South. For those who love this local treasure and want to help sustain its mission, unrestricted donations are incredibly impactful. 

👉 Support Old Salem Museums & Gardens: 

https://www.oldsalem.org/support/annual-fund/ 

We are proud to support the safety of a site that holds so much cultural, educational, and historical value for our community. As Erik summed up his experience, “They take the time to come up with any solution you may require for your security and fire needs.” 

ACE-HTI remains committed to protecting the places that help tell our region’s story — and Old Salem continues to be one of the most meaningful partnerships in that mission.