Events and Activities

Good Trouble: The Selma, Alabama and Derry, Northern Ireland Connection 1963-1972

Salem Museum Speaker Series, August 14 at 7pm

Zoom link click HERE

Examine the curious connections between America and Northern Ireland’s Civil Rights Movements with “Good Trouble: The Selma, Alabama and Derry, Northern Ireland Connection 1963-1972.” Admission is free for this Salem Museum speaker series talk on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Salem Museum.

In his talk, educator and author Dr. Forest Issac Jones will show the strong connection between the Black Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the Catholic Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland. Specifically, Dr. Jones will illustrate the influence of the 1965 Montgomery to Selma marches on the 1969 Belfast to Derry march through oral history, based on numerous interviews of events leading up to both marches and afterwards. Building off of unprecedented access and interviews with participants in both movements, Dr. Jones’ lecture will be a gripping and moving account of these pivotal years for both countries. At the conclusion of his lecture, Dr. Jones’ new book on the subject will be available for purchase and/or signing. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Salem Museum.

***Exclusive Member Event*- Pickin in the Park**

August 16, 5:30pm

Enjoy Longwood Park’s annual bluegrass celebration from the comfort of our green roof with beverages and snacks!

This is an Exclusive Member Event for Bronze Star tier members and up. Bring your membership card and enjoy the music!

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

July 22- Doodles and Designs in Pen and Marker

August 12- Gouache Painting

August 26- Drawing Mandalas

Black History on Display

Courtesy of Dr. Marylen Harmon, our temporary Juneteenth exhibit will remain on display in our lobby! Examine artifacts that explore the Black history of Salem, the Roanoke Valley, and beyond both in our lobby and around the Museum!

Mark Your Calendar

Monthly Speaker Series

Second Thursday of each month, 7pm. August= Dr. Forest Jones book talk "Good Trouble" / September= Kay McCarron on Graham-White Site archeology / October= Heath Lee on the life of Pat Nixon (at Roanoke College) / November= Flood of 1985 panel

Workshops with artist Matilda Wentzel

Second and Fourth Tuesdays Monthly. Join us for arts workshops. RSVP Required. More information HERE

Ask an Archeologist

This Fall. As the Museum prepares for its fall exhibit on the Totera Town site, archeologists will be on site to work on the artifacts. Ask them questions about their work and see how they perform their craft.

Peggy Shifflett Book Talk

POSTPONED. Local author Peggy Shifflett will discuss her new book and have a book signing.

Lord Dunmore Day

September 13, 10am-3pm. Hear the other perspective of history. Meeting living historians, including Lord Dunmore himself, and learn about the British perspectives during the Revolutionary War.

Blue Ridge Potters Guild Workshop

September 20, 10am-3pm. Join the Potters Guild for a workshop on ceramics techniques.

People and Places of the Appalachian Trail in the Roanoke Region

September 27, 11am. Diana Christopolis joins us to discuss the Appalachian Trail in our region and the role of the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club.

Ghost Walk 2025

October 2-4, 6pm-8pm. Our annual Ghost Walk returns to East Hill Cemetery.

Gingerbread Festival 2025

December 6. The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Festival returns to Longwood Park with the annual Gingerbread House Competition on display inside the Museum.

Wreaths Across America

December 13. Join the Fort Lewis Chapter NSDAR to honor local veterans. A ceremony will take place, then community members are invited to help lay wreaths on graves in East Hill and East Hill North cemeteries.

"The Living Story: From Memory to Legacy" Storytelling Workshops

Spring 2026. Join Clint Atwater, founder of Storytelling Connections, for five workshops to give you the tools to craft and share meaningful stories with confidence.