CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, June 24
GROUND FLOOR EXHIBIT OPENING
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 officially opening June 24! 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, and military uniforms from WWII. 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.
CIVIL WAR SATURDAYS
In July, featuring living history, lectures, and films. Admission is free for all events.
Saturday, July 1
Film screenings of Field of Lost Shoes at 11 am and 1:30 pm
This film is based on a true story of the American Civil War, culminating at the Battle of New Market, May 15, 1864. A group of teenage cadets sheltered from war at the Virginia Military Institute must confront the horrors of an adult world when they are called upon to defend the Shenandoah Valley, leaving behind their youth.
Tuesday, July 4
Closed for the Fourth of July Holiday
Saturday, July 8
Union and Confederate Officer Re-enactors, 10 am to 4 pm
Officers and ladies of the Union (re-enactors from Gettysburg), and an officer and soldiers of the 51st Virginia Infantry Regiment.
Film screening of Hunters Raid: Defending Hearth & Home at 12:30 pm
During the bloodiest summer of the Civil War, a northern army was ordered to devastate the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Filmed on location, this three-time Emmy award-winning documentary tells the story of “Hunter’s Raid” through the voices of the men and women who lived it.
Saturday, July 15
Confederate Artillery Re-enactors, 10 am to 3 pm
Portrayals of the Botetourt Artillery
Lecture by Dr. Robert Whisonant at noon
Dr. Whisonant, professor emeritus in the Geology Department at Radford University, will speak about the minerals found in Southwest Virginia and how these natural resources were used to aid the Confederacy.
SPEAKER SERIES: Monday, July 17
Lecture by Robert Freis: “William Mahone, the Most Influential Virginian Few Know About,” at 7 pm
Mahone was an important railroad builder, Confederate general and post-Reconstruction era politician, but he may be the most influential, but least-known figure in Virginia history. His accomplishments, while notable, were uniformly failures. Additionally, as a threat to the state’s post-Reconstruction status quo, Mahone was vilified and eventually (in the contemporary lingo) ghosted from the Commonwealth’s collective memory. A fresh look at this multi-faced general, railroader and politician is long overdue.
Saturday, July 22
Union and Confederate Infantry Re-enactors, 10 am to 4 pm
Portrayals of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and the 24th Virginia Infantry Regiment (re-enactors from Appomattox).
Film screening of Manassas, 1861 at 12:30 pm
This 2002 Telly Award winning documentary explores the first major land battle of the American Civil War. Manassas 1861 goes in-depth to put you into the ranks with the young soldiers experiencing, for the first time, the very violent combat of the war that defined our nation. From primary accounts of the frontline soldiers to massive scale reenactment battle formations, this film provides an authentic view of the uniforms, strategy and innocence that so colorfully shaped the First Battle of Manassas.
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.