VA, Preserving 300 Years of History

(540) 389-6760

Salem Museum in Salem, Virginia

Preserving 300+ years of history, art, and sports in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Ghost Walk 2025

October 2-4, 6-8pm

TICKETS CLICK HERE

East Hill Cemetery comes alive after dark just once a year! The Salem Museum once again welcomes the living for the annual Ghost Walk on October 2-4, 2025. Tour the historic graveyard and meet notable characters from Salem’s past on walking tours that are family-friendly, fun, and informative, but not scary.

“Ghosts” will share captivating tales of fascinating characters from various periods of Salem’s rich history, spanning over 200 years. Each character has made an impact, whether big or small, and some stories are simply delightful. Guests will also discover surprising narratives about some of the region's most historic locations - places they may encounter in their daily lives.

Tours leave the Museum every 15 minutes from 6pm to 8pm. An ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter will join the 6pm tour each evening.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students of any age, and free for children ages three and younger.

Ghost Walk 2025 is generously sponsored by: Sherwood Memorial Park, SERVPRO, Lotz Funeral Home, Chick-fil-a, City of Salem, City of Salem Parks and Recreation

All tickets on sale now at the Salem Museum or online through the link above. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended to reserve your preferred tour time. Groups must register in advance. The Ghost Walk is expected to sell out once again this year.

People and Places of the Appalachian Trail in the Roanoke Region

September 27, 11am

Zoom Link HERE

Join us to learn all about local Appalachian Trail history!

In her talk, Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club (RATC) archivist Dr. Diana Christopulos will draw on the organization’s extensive records, which date back to 1932, to explore key questions about the Trail’s history. Why was the Trail relocated from Fort Lewis and Poor Mountains? Who were the Nomads, one of the RATC’s founding groups? What did Carvins Cove look like before the reservoir was built? Why was the McAfee Knob section of the Trail closed between 1978 and 1987, and how was it reopened? These questions and more will be addressed in her presentation.

Dr. Christopulos is a dedicated conservationist who has held leadership roles in numerous environmental and community organizations, including the RATC, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition. She has also served on the boards of the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy and the Council of Community Services, and is a member of the Roanoke Women’s Foundation. She co-founded the McAfee Knob Task Force, a group of about 30 volunteers who, alongside a paid seasonal ridge-runner, work to keep visitors safe and educate them about protecting natural resources. In addition, she has completed a thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Trail.

Art Gatherings at the Salem Museum Flyer

Art Gatherings at the Museum

Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 5pm

Join local artist Matilda Wentzel for consistent Art Gatherings at the Salem Museum. Each class stands on its own, so you can sign up for one or join them all! Each class will have a demonstration in the art medium we will be working in that day, followed by help and instructions from the teacher.

You can find out more and sign up by clicking HERE

Sept. 23rd, Watercolor and Wax, learn how to be loose and free flowing!

More Events Here!

Frankenstein Teen Homeschool Lit Course 2025-2026 Square Flyer (002)

Education Highlight- Homeschool Teen Literature Course

Celebrating 30 Years of Carilion Clinic Field

On display in our Lobby through November

The Salem Museum celebrates the 30^thAnniversary of Carilion Clinic Field with the Salem Red Sox!

Visit us to see artifacts from the 1995 inaugural season, and the past 30 years of Salem baseball history.

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HOURS OF OPERATION

Open Tuesdays — Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm.

Closed on July 4; Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas; New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and the day after New Years.

If the City of Salem Schools are closed for inclement weather, the Museum does not open.

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

Located next to Longwood Park in Downtown Salem
801 East Main Street
Salem, Virginia 24153

From I-81, take exit 140 and head toward Salem on Thompson Memorial Blvd. At Main Street (US 460), turn left. Go .3 mile; the Salem Museum is located at the top of the hill on the left. Our entrance is across from the Berglund Ford service entrance. Look for the “OAKEY FIELD” sign. There is plenty of free, on-site parking.

ADMISSION IS FREE.
DONATIONS ARE
APPRECIATED!

Admission is FREE for all self-guided visitors.

Guided tours are $10 per adult age 15+, and $5 for children. For school groups and educational groups, students are $3 and chaperones are free. Group visits are available when booked at least two weeks in advance.