While strolling around Old Salem, Karen and I came across J. Blum Printers. We decided to duck in and see what we could find. The building was originally known as the Blum House and was built in 1815. It the time it was built by John Christian Blum, who was an agent at the Cape Fear Bank
The north room originally served as a banking room. Blum also served as the printer for the town’s newspaper. Nowadays, someone who worked for the bank and had their own printer might be a little suspicious! In 1854, one of his sons added the second story to the house. It was restored in 1995. The original printer that Blum used is still displayed here.
Today, it serves as a gift shop. Like just about any place in Old Salem, you can find the pre-packaged Moravian cookies and gift sets here. You will also find three rooms of books. Most books are local or have a Southern flair. You can find cookbooks, books about the War of Northern Aggression (i.e. Civil War to those not from the South), and history books on the Moravians and the era. I picked up a very interesting book called Ghost of Salem by Richard W. Starbuck.
You can also find pottery, reproduction china and glass, jellies, baking mixes, and calligraphy items, and "scrapbookers" may want to check out the wax seals, inks, and stains, plus they have other knickknacks and souvenirs that can be found at a typical tourist store of this type.
They are open from 9am to 5:30pm and are open on Mondays. Credit cards are accepted. This is a public building, so you do not have to have a pass to get inside. It is interesting to take a look inside, since you will find some antiques here and the printer is worth a look.