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

SRS March Speaker Series Lecture Poster FINAL - 1

Service Through Knowledge: The History of the Salem Rescue Squad

Thursday, March 13 at 7:00pm

Zoom link here

Explore the fascinating history of the nation’s oldest all-volunteer rescue squad with “Service Through Knowledge: The History of the Salem Rescue Squad.” Admission is free for this speaker series talk on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Salem Museum.

In this enlivening lecture, a representative of the Salem Rescue Squad will discuss the history of this storied community organization and highlight how hard work, humor, and heroics play an everyday role in their operations. Volunteering, the pinnacle of the Squad’s 93-year history and a backbone to all communities, will also be a major focus of the evening’s discussion.

Hidden Gems: A Master Class in Storytelling

Saturday, March 15 at 12:30pm

Join the storytellers group Let Me Tell Ya! at the Museum on Saturday March 15 at 12:30pm.

This class will help participants refine their storytelling skills. Whether a professional storyteller or an unofficial family historian, mastering transitions- the subtle shifts that connects ideas- adds finesse to your stories. Join Antonio Rocha to refine these moments using voice and body language for a seamless, compelling narrative. Unlock the hidden gems in your storytelling.

Tickets are available through Let Me Tell Ya! here.

Painting of Patrick Henry delivering a speech before the House of Burgesses, March 23, 1775. (Photo by Fotosearch/Getty Images).

"Give Me Liberty" Livestream: Patrick Henry's Famous Speech at 250

Sunday, March 23 at 1:00pm

Hear freedom ring as Patrick Henry’s eternal “Liberty or Death” speech, delivered by a reenactor to a live audience at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, is livestreamed right here at the Salem Museum! Originally delivered to an audience on the precipice of conflict with Great Britain (amongst whom was Andrew Lewis), Henry’s stirring words will once again ignite passions of revolutionary fervor on the anniversary of the very date it was delivered 250 years ago. Light refreshments will be provided as we watch the event, part of broader statewide celebrations in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in April.

Salem Rescue Squad History on Display

On display in our Main Gallery

“Service Through Knowledge: The History of the Salem Rescue Squad” is now open in the Main Gallery through early Spring. This captivating display honors the dedication and valor of the men and women who have served in the nation’s oldest all-volunteer rescue squad.

Visitors will embark on a journey through over ninety years of Salem history, exploring the operations of this vital institution and the remarkable individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community through their selfless service. The exhibit showcases an array of photographs and unique artifacts, highlighting the evolution of rescue techniques and equipment while emphasizing the squad’s crucial role in Salem’s safety and well-being.

Guests are also invited to share their personal experiences of how the Rescue Squad has touched their lives by leaving a note in the exhibit. For those inspired by the squad’s noble mission, information about joining this exceptional group of volunteers will be available.

More Events Here!

Homeschool Days at Salem Museum: RSVP required

Homeschool Days Return

The Salem Museum is pleased to announce the return of Homeschool Days for the 2024-25 school year. Homeschool Days will take place monthly for students ages five and up, giving students an opportunity to explore local history this semester.

Students will learn interesting stories from our past, and get to hold pieces of history in their hand. Each program will include an hour of hands-on history instruction and group discussions, followed by a scavenger hunt to encourage exploration of the Salem Museum’s exhibits. The schedule is designed to give participants an opportunity to get to know other students.

Programs will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 11:00am and 2:00pm, with a new topic each month.

RSVP in advance is required. The fee is $4 per student per session. All parents/ teachers/ chaperones are free. Registration for Museum members is free. Please call 540-389-6760 or email [email protected] to register.

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Collage of historical and contemporary figures.

Through Their Eyes: The Moments That Made Salem

Over a year in the making, this Gallery highlights sixteen major events, dating back to 1671, that have shaped Salem and the Roanoke Valley into the community it is today. History gets personal as seen ‘through the eyes’ of men and women who lived here at the time. Visitors will experience the emotional, life-changing impact of each of these events—including the coming of the railroad, the end of the Civil War, desegregation, the Flood of ’85, and so many more. The Gallery features personal narratives, pictures, maps, artifacts, and hands-on elements.

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.