CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Ghost Walk 2017
October 5-7 at East Hill Cemetery GET TICKETS
New! October 12-14 at Sherwood Memorial Park GET TICKETS
Full event description below…
Sharyn McCrumb: The Unquiet Grave
Talk and Book Signing
Friday, September 22, 7 PM
From New York Times bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb comes a finely-wrought novel set in 19th century West Virginia, based on the true story of one of the strangest murder trials in American history — the case of the Greenbrier Ghost. Sharyn McCrumb is the first author to look beneath the legend, revealing new information and bringing to life the personalities in the trial: the prosecutor, a former Confederate cavalryman; the defense attorney, a pro-Union bridgeburner, who nevertheless had owned slaves; and the mother of the murdered woman, who doggedly sticks to her ghost story—all seen through the eyes of a young black lawyer with his own tragedies yet to come. With its unique blend of masterful research and mesmerizing folklore, illuminating the story’s fascinating and complex characters, The Unquiet Grave confirms Sharyn McCrumb’s place among the finest Southern writers at work today.
Appalachian Festival
Saturday, September 23, 10 AM to 4 PM
Experience Appalachian heritage, culture and crafts with demonstrations, talks, and hands-on activities! Quilting, bee-keeping, live music, children’s games and toys, leather working, basket making, talks on gardening and herbal remedies, plus we’ll be making apple butter–come help stir! Sharyn McCrumb’s newest novel, The Unquiet Grave, wil be available in our gift shop. Event partner: Glenvar High School.
Special Events
· Appalachian Gardening Secrets at 10:30: Unearth new tips and tricks to improve your home gardens with ways that are popular in Appalachian communities.
· Appalachian Medicine at 11:30: Learn about home remedies and other ways Appalachian folk took care of their sick.
· The Mackenzies at 2:00: Appalachian music performance
· The McConnells at 3:00: Appalachian music performance
All Day Events
· Apple Butter Display: Whether it’s peeling, stirring, or canning, making apple butter is a long, social event. Taste samples and learn about what goes into making it.
· Canning Display: Canning food has been one of the main ways people in Appalachia have preserved food for years. See examples of how Appalachian families canned food and taste samples.
· Quilting Display: Appalachian families used quilts to keep warm from the chilly night air. Discover how quilts are made and purchase tickets for a quilt auction later this year.
· Basket Weaving Display: Basket weaving was an important part of how objects were stored. Uncover the lost art of basket weaving.
· Kids Area: Play games, solve puzzles, listen to storytellers and create clothespin dolls with the help of Glenvar High School students and teachers.
· Beekeeping Display: Uncover the growing hobby of beekeeping and find out how to manage a hive and extract honey
· Leather Worker and Powder Horn Maker Display: Discover the essential Appalachian skills required to make leather objects and other items around your homestead.
Deadline to Order Brick Pavers for Engraving this Fall
Monday, September 25
Engraved brick pavers create a lasting legacy. Add your name, or the name of someone special to you. Brick pavers are displayed in two areas: The Main Walkway into the Museum features the names of people who have touched someone’s heart, loved this Museum, or made an impact in our community, in ways big or small. Some are deceased, and some are living. Our exclusive Veterans’ Plaza is located on our lower level overlooking Longwood Park. Here we honor and remember those who have served in war or peace, at any time in our nation’s history. Each engraved brick paver is $150, which includes the cost of the paver, the engraving, and a donation to the Salem Museum & Historical Society. Your gift ensures that both your legacy—and our community’s rich history—are preserved for future generations. Download a form to place your order.
Ghost Walk 2017
October 5-7 at East Hill Cemetery. GET TICKETS
New! October 12-14 at Sherwood Memorial Park
GET TICKETS
We are bringing back the ever-popular Ghost Walk! Guests will visit Salem’s graveyards to meet characters from Salem’s past and learn about our City’s history. On October 5-7, walking tours of East Hill Cemetery will leave the Salem Museum between 6 and 8 PM. On October 12-14, join Sherwood’s ghosts in the cemetery’s amphitheater at 7 PM. The East Hill tour will introduce visitors to both new spirits and old favorites, while all the ghosts at Sherwood will be making their debut appearance! Adults $10; Students $5, children 3 and under free. Tickets will go on sale on September 15.
Monthly Speaker Series
Marian McConnell: Murder Hole
Talk and Film Showing
Monday, October 16, 7 PM
Catawba Murder Hole Cave in Botetourt County, Virginia, is an infamous, unique place of danger and beauty. The film, by David Socky and Marian McConnell, is a 28-minute documentary, complete with drone footage, videos, photographs, original music, and a trip into all three levels of the cave. Viewers will get a bat’s eye view of the cave and the Catawba Valley, and travel into its depths to learn about its history and see some of its stunning formations. Wild caving is a potentially dangerous activity, strenuous and not for everyone — but everyone can enjoy seeing what it looks like from the comfort of their chair! After the showing, McConnell will sign copies of her book which is a collection of legends, history of the cave’s early explorers, and stories from those who survived accidents in its dark depths. Marian and Dan McConnell have owned the cave for over twenty years.
Members’ Annual Meeting
Monday, November 6, 7 PM
All members are invited to hear the Museum’s annual report for 2017, and to elect new Board members.
Monthly Speaker Series
Mark O’Connell: The Team the Titans Remember
Talk and Book Signing
Monday, November 6, 7:30 PM, following the Members’ Annual Meeting
Mark O’Connell will present a talk based on his new book about the 1971 Andrew Lewis Wolverines who played T.C. Williams for the state football championship, a game that is the climax of the movie Remember the Titans (2000). While the movie profiles the Titans’ road to the championship, the Wolverines are completely ignored. O’Connell told the Salem Times Register: “I just wanted to set the record straight about the 1971 team. I want people to know not only about Andrew Lewis, but the personal stories, and to give acclaim to coaches Eddie Joyce and Assistant Coach Dale Foster and the players in their own right.” O’Connell will sign books after his talk.
FEATURE EXHIBITS
Hallowed Halls: Roanoke College’s 175 Years
Through March 10, 2018
Generously sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners
Hallowed Halls: Roanoke College’s 175 Years is a new feature main gallery exhibit that looks back at one of Salem’s oldest and most influential institutions. The exhibit traces Roanoke College’s history from its earliest days arriving in Salem in a wagon, through the struggles of war and cultural revolutions, to the institution it is today. Guests will learn about the growth of the campus, the student body, athletics, and the academic experience—and the presidents who led the way. The exhibit was curated by Museum Assistant Director Alex Burke—a 2016 graduate of Roanoke College—with assistance from Linda Miller, Roanoke College’s archivist.
Hometown Treasure: 25 Years of the Salem Museum
Join us in celebrating 25 years of the Salem Museum, with our new hands-on exhibit Hometown Treasure! Take a look back at the historic buildings we’ve saved, and some of the artifacts we’ve collected over the years. Some of these objects don’t get out much, like a five-foot tall Valleydale Pig mascot, an antique embalming table from Oakey’s, Underwood typewriters, and a military uniforms from WWI. Some of these artifacts can be touched, just please be gentle!
For those who are curious about museum operations, the exhibit also explains some of the behind-the-scenes procedures that go into curating, preserving, and storing objects, and how information about them is recorded and is able to be searched.
Most of all, we are celebrating all of the people who made this dream a reality going back to the founding of Save Old Salem in 1970, and the opening of the Museum on June 27, 1992. So many people have given so generously of their time, financial resources, and the heirlooms in their attics to make this Museum the treasure that it is today.
This exhibit is made possible through the support of the Museum’s members, volunteers and donors. The lead exhibit designer is Alex Burke, the Museum’s Assistant Director. Special thanks to Sherwood Memorial Park for its generous sponsorship. Admission is free.
WHITE OAK TEA TAVERN IS OPEN AT PRESTON PLACE!
The White Oak Tea Tavern is a destination restaurant previously located in Troutville, Va., and well-known for its lunches, scones and bagels, gift shop and—most especially—its teas. The Tea Tavern is located in Salem at 1936 W. Main St. in Preston Place, the historic home owned and restored by the Salem Museum & Historical Society. Open Mondays–Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm. 540-387-3000.
About the Salem Museum & Historical Society
The Salem Museum & Historical Society is an independent nonprofit organization preserving and celebrating the history of Salem, Virginia, founded in 1802, and the surrounding areas.