Salem Museum in Salem, Virginia

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

Ghost Walk 2026

October 1-3, 6pm-8pm, tours leave every 15 minutes. TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Get tickets at the Salem Museum or online HERE

East Hill Cemetery comes alive after dark just once a year! Tour the historic graveyard and meet notable characters from Salem’s past. “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.

These walking tours are family-friendly, fun and informative, but not scary.

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

September 2001 Lobby Square Exhibit Flyer

A Nation United: Salem and Roanoke
Respond to 9/11

On Display in the Museum Lobby through September

The Salem Museum invites you to stop by the lobby this month to view a special exhibit displaying photos from the community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Taken by late Museum docent Dr. Harry J. Minarik, each photo captures rare glimpses of a moment in time 25 years ago this month. See how a community rallied and more with these unique pictures.

Salem, Virginia’s Cherokee Defense

Saturday, October 10 at 2:00pm

The Salem Museum will host Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe CEO/Chief Ren Herdman for a special lecture. The event is free and open to the public.

Chief Herdman’s talk will explore a little-known episode in the Colonial history of the Roanoke Valley involving then-Major Andrew Lewis, the local pioneer and militia leader, and Cherokee Chief Ostenaco, the warrior, orator, and diplomat. In 1756, as the French & Indian War raged on, Chief Ostenaco and Major Lewis worked together to prepare for battle against the Shawnee. Chief Herdman will share the story Lewis, Ostenaco, and of the 130 Cherokee who camped along the Roanoke River that even caught the attention of George Washington himself.

Herdman is the CEO and principal chief of the Central Appalachian Cherokee Tribe. The first woman to hold the role, Herdman is of documented Native American descent through DNA and family history. A Southwest Virginia native, Herdman has spent years researching and documenting Native American sites in Central Appalachia and across the country. She is an educator and speaker on Native American issues whose programs explore tribes of the Central Appalachian region and across the United States.

More Events Here!

Andrew Lewis: Salem's Revolutionary Champion

On Display in the Feature Gallery

Visit us this summer to see the official City of Salem VA250 exhibit about Andrew Lewis, William Fleming, and our local ties to the American Revolution!

This exhibit chronicles the local figures' lives and Lewis' lynchpin status in the course of the American Revolution. Visitors can try on garments, handle tools, and interact with materials resembling those of Revolutionary era Virginia.

On The Map: History of Virginia Along Bikecentennial Route 76 Explored Through Maps

On Display through September on the Ground Floor

History happens everywhere. This poster exhibit connects lesser-known
local history to historic maps of the state of Virginia. The unifying theme
of the selected local history is transportation as all stories take place on
or near Bicycle Route 76. Created 1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial of
the United States, Route 76 spans the continental United States –
guiding cyclists from Yorktown, Virginia to Astoria, Oregon. This exhibit
focuses on the route in Virginia. It is highlighted in red with the location
of where the story happened being marked by a bicycle on all maps.

This exhibit is affiliated with the larger Bike76 VA Project. To learn more, visit
https://bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

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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.