Events and Activities
"The Candidates" Auditions
Sunday March 8, 1pm
The Salem Museum will hold auditions for its stage adaptation of the 1770s comedy “The Candidates; or, The Humours of a Virginia Election” on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Performances are scheduled for April 17-18, 2026.
Written and set in the early 1770s on the eve of the American Revolution by Colonel Robert Munford, “The Candidates” follows the misadventures of Mr. Wou’dbe, a candidate for the Virginia House of Burgesses, as he competes against the corrupt and colorfully named Sir John Toddy, Mr. Strutabout, and Mr. Smallhopes. The play humorously satirizes colonial campaigning culture as Wou’dbe navigates lively political barbecues and candidate breakfasts in an effort to prove that the virtues of Virginia voters are not entirely lost.
Prior acting experience is helpful but not required; participants should simply be prepared for the challenge of performing the play’s Colonial-era language. The director encourages participation from individuals of all races, cultures, ages, genders, beliefs, abilities, and sexual orientations. Character ages are flexible, and all roles are open to actors of any ethnicity. Walk-in auditions are welcome.
The characters are:
Candidates for delegates to the General Assembly- Sir John Toddy, Mr. Wou'dbe, Mr. Strutabout, Mr. Smallhopes
Gentlemen Justices- Mr. Julip, Capt. Paunch
Freeholders- Guzzle, Twist, Stern, Prize
Wou'dbe's servant- Ralpho
Tools to the Candidates- Jack, Ned
Freeholders' Wives- Mrs. Guzzle, Lucy Twist, Catherine (Kate) Stern, Sarah Prize
Additional- Freeholders, Country girls, etc.
Healing via Artistic Flow
Thursday March 12, 7pm
Zoom Link HERE
Explore the ways art can help individuals emotionally heal with “Healing via Artistic Flow,” at the Salem Museum on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. This speaker series lecture is free and open to the public.
In her talk, artist Matilda Wentzel will discuss the various ways art has helped people recover from emotional wounds and enhance their self-expression skills. Using examples from her own life, Wentzel will demonstrate the many ways tapping into one’s “Creative Flow Zone” and cherishing the lightheartedness of life’s lessons can make hardships more bearable.
Wentzel is a local artist who began painting as a young girl growing up in the forests of Appalachia. She has continued to find inspiration for her work through travel across the United States and abroad. She takes pride in having her work challenge a viewer to think and interpret from a soulful place of contemplation.
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Kids Collage and Mixed Media Art Class
March 24, 4pm
Charles Gwaltney Book Signing and Reflection
Saturday, March 28 at 11:00am
Join us to hear Charles Gwaltney reflect on his life and memories, including those of his late brother Russ Gwaltney, who won the 1952 National Marbles Championship. Copies of Gwaltney’s latest book, Spanning the Years: A Collection of Poems, will be available for purchase and signing, with part of the proceeds going to the Salem Museum.
Mark Your Calendar
Monthly Speaker Series
Second Thursday of each month, 7pm. January and February on Zoom. March= Healing via Artistic Flow with Matilda Wentzel / April= Monacan foodways with Victoria Ferguson / September= A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail with Mills Kelly
Headwaters Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia Monthly Meetings
Second Tuesday of each month, 7pm. Free and open to the public. Enjoy monthly speakers on topics of local archeology. Returns April 14.
Glenvar Student Art Show Opening Reception
April 14. Join us to see the fantastic talent of the Glenvar Schools art students!
Revolutionary War Hands-On Week
April 15-18. Experience the VA250 Mobile Museum weekdays from 4-5pm and all day on Saturday April 18 from 10am-4pm with special events.
Arts Day 2026
May 2, 10am-4pm. Join us for a day to celebrate local arts and artists. Come learn about various arts mediums and local opportunities to get involved with!
Phillip Gibbs Book Signing
May 2, 2pm. Gibbs returns to the Salem Museum to discuss his newest book on the Roanoke Valley area. Copies will be available for purchase and signing, with part of the proceeds going to the Salem Museum.
Peggy Shifflett Book Talk
POSTPONED. Local author Peggy Shifflett will discuss her new book and have a book signing.
Workshops with artist Matilda Wentzel
Returns in Spring 2026. Second and Fourth Tuesdays Monthly. Join us for arts workshops. RSVP Required. More information HERE
Gwynn's Island Weekend
June 27-28. Commemorate the Battle of Gwynn's Island, when Gen. Andrew Lewis expelled Lord Dunmore from Virginia, with a weekend of living history and exhibitions.
Grandin Theater Screening of "Resolved to Live or Die"
July 1, 5pm reception & 7pm documentary begins. Join Salem Museum, Fincastle Resolutions Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution, Blue Ridge PBS, Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, and League of Roanoke Artists at the Grandin Theater for a night of art and history. There will be an art exhibit, a dance performance, artifact displays, and the Fincastle Company Living Historians on site. The screening will also be followed by a Q&A to accompany the documentary.
Jazz in July
July 18, 3:30pm. Exclusively for Bronze Star Members and up. Enjoy refreshments and beverages on our rooftop patio as you experience the music of Longwood Park's annual summer jazz concert.
Pickin' in the Park
August 15. Exclusively for Bronze Star Members and up. Enjoy refreshments and beverages on our rooftop patio as you experience the music of Longwood Park's annual summer bluegrass concert.
Ghost Walk 2026
October 1-3. The annual Ghost Walk returns to East Hill Cemetery. Join us for a fun, family friend walk through the Cemetery to meet ghosts from Salem's past.
Gingerbread Festival 2026
December 5, 10am-2pm. 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 12, 12pm. 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.
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Sun - Mon: Closed
Tue - Sat: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Sun - Mon: Closed
Tue - Sat: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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