The West Salem neighborhood of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, (population 2,000) is located to the southwest of downtown and west of the museum village, Old Salem. The town of Salem was established in 1766. As part of the initial planning of Salem, out-lots were designated to the west of the village, and were known as West Salem. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, farmsteads developed in the West Salem area. With the growth of the textile industry in Salem during the late 19th century, modestly scaled workers' housing appeared on Apple, Albert, and Wachovia streets. The current neighborhood includes 812 houses.
The West Salem Cottage Garden Tour is a yearly event that brightens the neighborhood and promotes awareness of the community. The Garden Tour encourages residents to beautify their properties to portray a positive image to the larger community. The Christmas Cottages of Historic West Salem Tour occurs every December, on the same day as, and in coordination with, other home tours in Winston-Salem.
The West-Salem neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the West Salem Historic District. Profits from the Garden Tour led to the purchase of signs to mark the West Salem Historic District. These signs are located at the main entrances to the neighborhood.
The West Salem Historical Society was founded in 2005 as a way to promote the history of the neighborhood. The historical society publishes a newsletter titled West Salem Gazette. The Gazette documents West Salem history to educate the current residents of the neighborhood.
Designated a Preserve America Community in July 2009.