CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Salem Museum Annual Members-Only Potluck Picnic
Saturday, August 26, 5 to 7 PM
Fried chicken will be provided; bring a dish to share. Not a member? Join!
Bus Trip to Historic Monroe County, WV
Members: $59; Non-members $65
September 21, departing promptly at 8:30 AM, returning approximately 4:30 PM
Register by September 7 to reserve your spot!
Secluded in the beautiful Allegheny Highlands, Monroe County’s history encompasses frontier settlement, family traditions, early industry, enslavement, civil war, sacrifice, and freedom. Early Virginia settlers first arrived around 1760. In the morning, participants will visit:
- the Old Rehoboth church, a log cabin style Methodist church established and built in 1786 on the Virginia frontier, and perhaps the oldest church west of the Blue Ridge
- the Monroe County Historical Society with its “country” log house (1790) and the first log house (1810) built in the town of Union
- the Caperton Museum, an 1820 law office, and
- the Carriage House, which houses a fascinating collection of horse-drawn conveyances, from farm vehicles to the Sweet Springs omnibus.
The tour includes lunch in Union and then travels a short distance to visit Elmwood, the highlight of the tour. This magnificent home was built in 1838 by Thomas Jefferson’s best brick mason at the University of Virginia. Elmwood, which has been beautifully restored, is a two-story, nearly square brick dwelling with Greek Revival details. The house was home to Allen T. Caperton (1810–1876), the first ex-Confederate elected to the United States Senate after the Civil War. The cost of the trip is $59 for Salem Museum members and $65 for non-members, and includes transportation, site admissions, and lunch. The trip is limited to 23 participants. Call the Museum today to sign up: 540-389-6760. Your place is reserved when payment is received in full. Payment is non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled. 2017-08 Bus Trip to Monroe County WV flyer
Partner Event at the Salem Museum
Paint for Preservation
Benefiting the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation
Thursday, September 14, 6 to 8 PM
Paint for Preservation is the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation’s annual local art auction. Live and silent auctions featuring original artwork of Roanoke Valley Landmarks, cash bar, and live music. Event admission is free. For more information…
Monthly Speaker Series
Dr. Robert D. Benne: The Christian Heritage of Roanoke College at 175—its Current Status and Future Prospects
Talk and Book Signing
Monday, September 18, at 7 PM
Robert Benne’s concluding lecture in his series on the “soul”—the religious heritage—of Roanoke College throughout its history will focus on the presidencies of David Gring, Sabine O’Hara, and Michael Maxey. Benne will inquire into the destiny of that Christian “soul.” Does it have a future at the college? Robert Benne is Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion Emeritus at Roanoke College. He will sign copies of his new book, Keeping the Soul in Christian Higher Education—A History of Roanoke College, after his talk.
Appalachian Festival Kick-Off
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! Event partner: Glenvar High School.
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–Save these dates!
October 5-7 at East Hill Cemetery
New! October 12-14 at Sherwood Memorial Park
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! Check back for more event details and information about ticketing.
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
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.
MAIN FLOOR GALLERY EXHIBIT: ONGOING
At Home Along the Great Road: Old Castle and Preston Place
Generously sponsored by Salem VA Credit Union
Salem was settled in the 1700s and, by the time of its incorporation as a town in 1802, was a busy stop along the Great Road from Virginia through Tennessee to Kentucky. Davy Crockett, Louis Philippe (a future king of France), and Andrew Jackson were known to have traveled the route and patronized Salem’s inns and taverns. Two homes along the road—Old Castle and Preston Place—are featured in this look at life in the 1800s. The exhibit is curated by Alex Burke, the Museum’s assistant director. Mr. Burke was assisted by Cort Clark, an intern from Roanoke College.
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.