Events and Activities

Cricket Hill - Gwynns Island Talk Square Flyer

The Battle of Cricket Hill: Andrew Lewis and the Battle of Gwynn's Island

Thursday February 12, 7pm via Zoom

Zoom Link Click HERE

Local Revolutionary War hero Andrew Lewis’ most famous clash with the British will be the subject of the Salem Museum’s latest speaker series talk entitled, “The Battle of Cricket Hill.” This free event will be on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM, livestreamed exclusively on Zoom.
In his talk, independent scholar Michael Rhodes will examine the expulsion of Royal Governor Lord Dunmore by Virginia Patriot forces under the command of General Andrew Lewis. The last Royal Governor of the colony of Virginia, Dunmore needed a place for he and his entourage of Loyalists aboard some 100 vessels to make land and regroup before continuing his battle to reclaim Virginia for the Crown. He chose Gwynn’s Island, barely 200 yards off the mainland near present-day Hudgins, Virginia, as his haven. Thanks to artillery fire from Fort Cricket Hill by General Lewis’ men, this would mark the exodus of Lord Dunmore from Virginia for good.
The Candidates staged reading event poster.

"The Candidates" Staged Reading

Saturday February 21, 2pm

Volunteers willing to read roles in the play are needed!  Please contact us if interested!

The Salem Museum is excited to host a staged reading of Colonel Robert Munford's “The Candidates; or, The Humours of a Virginia Election - A Comedy in Three Acts."

Written and set in the early 1770s on the eve of the American Revolution, this farcical tale about a Virginia House of Burgesses election satirizes the corrupt campaigning culture of the day. With stinging critiques of electioneering and witty dialogue to boot, Munford's three act comedy will be put on in the Roanoke Valley for the first time ever through a staged reading at the Salem Museum.

Volunteer Steve Aaron will lead this production, and is actively seeking participants to read for numerous characters. If interested in reading a part or volunteering on the project, please contact the Salem Museum via phone at 540-389-6760 or via email at info@SalemMuseum.org.

Totero Town Symposium

The Totero Town Symposium

Saturday February 28, 11am-4pm

Discover the ways the environment impacted local Indigenous life in the first ever Totero Town Symposium, organized by the Headwaters Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia!

Hear from four distinguished lecturers about topics such as the local deer skin trade, the 1671 Batts and Fallam expedition through Salem, the practical applications of fish weirs, and more. A full schedule for lecture times, topics, and speakers will be available soon. Keep an eye out for more exciting details to come!

A Night in the American Revolution Graphic

A Night in the American Revolution

Saturday March 28, 6-8pm 

Held at The Historic Wilson Warehouse, 421 Lowe Street, Buchanan VA

Join us for a special VA250 Dinner Theater Experience

The historic Wilson Warehouse will be transformed into a Revolutionary War era tavern where you can enjoy food and drink of the era while nine historic interpreters and actors play various Revolutionary War figures around you. Learn about the Founding Fathers and everyday colonists who helped win the Revolutionary War. Includes a three-course Revolutionary-era style dinner. Join us for this unique fund-raising event to support preservation of the Wilson
Warehouse. Feel free to dress in period attire.

Order your tickets today – Seating is limited to the first 45 people. $75 per person
Order by phone with payment (due by March 15th) (540) 817-5772
Order and pay online with Eventbrite HERE

Brought to you by the Buchanan Town Improvement Society and the Salem Museum & Historical Society.

Mark Your Calendar

Monthly Speaker Series

Second Thursday of each month, 7pm. January and February on Zoom. February= The Battle of Gwynn's Island with Michael Rhodes

 

Totero Town Symposium

February 28, 11am-4pm. Join us for a day of speakers about Totero Town and the archeology of the site at what is today Salem's Moyer Sports Complex.  Details to follow.

 

Workshops with artist Matilda Wentzel

Returns in Spring 2026. Second and Fourth Tuesdays Monthly.  Join us for arts workshops.  RSVP Required.  More information HERE

 

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.

 

Glenvar Student Art Show Opening Reception

Date TBA.  Join us to see the fantastic talent of the Glenvar Schools art students!

 

Arts Day 2026

Date TBA. Join us for a day to celebrate local arts and artists.  Come learn about various arts mediums and local opportunities to get involved with!

 

Peggy Shifflett Book Talk

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

 

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.

 

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.

  • Sun - Mon: Closed
    Tue - Sat: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Sun - Mon: Closed
    Tue - Sat: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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