Events and Activities
Gingerbread Festival
Saturday December 6, 10am-2pm
The Gingerbread House Competition returns to the Salem Museum on December 6!
Come see the creativity of local bakers of all ages, from youth to adult master chefs. They will be on display throughout the Museum with voting downstairs. Previews begin December 3 (voting only available on December 6).
One part of the Chamber of Commerce's Gingerbread Festival! Visit Longwood park to meet Santa, explore vendors, see performances, and more! For more information click HERE
Nelson Harris Book Signing
Author and historian Nelson Harris will be at the Salem Museum to sign copies of his books and discuss his latest literary projects on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10 to 11:30 AM. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Salem Museum.
Harris is a former mayor of Roanoke. He has served as the pastor of Heights Community Church since 1999 and is an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Western Community College. Harris is a past president of the Historical Society of Western Virginia and the president-elect of the Salem Historical Society. He is the producer, writer and host for the award-winning Eye on the Past with Nelson Harris on Blue Ridge PBS and a columnist for The Roanoker magazine.
Wreathes Across America
Saturday December 13, 12pm
On December 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony), Wreaths Across America will be at East Hill Cemetery - Salem, VA to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.
Please note, our ceremony will be held starting at 12 Noon at the Salem Museum Veteran's Plaza located at 801 E Main St, Salem, VA, 24153.
Hosted by Fort Lewis Chapter NSDAR
Mark Your Calendar
Monthly Speaker Series
Second Thursday of each month, 7pm. January and February on Zoom. Check back more for the 2026 line-up
Gingerbread Festival 2025
December 6, 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. Museum Member Exclusive Preview December 5, 4-6pm.
Nelson Harris Book Signing
December 13, 10am-11:30am. Author, historian, and former mayor of Roanoke Nelson Harris will be here to sign copies of his books and discuss his latest literary projects.
Wreaths Across America
December 13, 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.
Workshops with artist Matilda Wentzel
Returns in Spring 2026. Second and Fourth Tuesdays Monthly. Join us for arts workshops. RSVP Required. More information HERE
"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.
Peggy Shifflett Book Talk
POSTPONED. Local author Peggy Shifflett will discuss her new book and have a book signing.
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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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