Events and Activities
A Winding, Rolling Route: America’s Bikecentennial (1976) Beyond the Blue Ridge
Salem Museum Speaker Series, Thursday July 9, 7pm
Zoom link HERE
Learn about Virginia’s history through cycling in “A Winding, Rolling Route: America’s Bikecentennial (1976) Beyond the Blue Ridge.” The free talk will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Salem Museum.
Virginia Tech professor Tom Ewing will discuss TransAmerica Bike Route 76, a cycling trail created as part of the nation’s 1976 Bicentennial celebration. The route stretches from Yorktown to Astoria, Oregon. Ewing will explore how the trail intersects with community connections, public history, and recreational tourism, and how the routes in Virginia and beyond continue to offer engaging ways to experience cycling and history 50 years later. He will also note ongoing efforts in the region to promote cycling infrastructure.
Ewing is project director of Bike 76 VA, a Virginia Tech-led initiative that produces a podcast, weekly public essays, and funding for public exhibitions focused on historic biking tours across the Commonwealth. One such exhibition, created by Grace Kostrzebski under Ewing’s guidance, is on display at the Salem Museum. “On the Map: The History of Virginia Along Bikecentennial Route 76 Explored Through Maps” is located on the Museum’s ground floor through early fall.
Jazz in July at the Salem Museum- Member Event
Saturday July 18, 3:30pm
Come enjoy Longwood Park’s annual jazz celebration from the comfort of our green roof with beverages and snacks!
Please note: This event is part of our exclusive membership offerings to Bronze Star ($75+) Members and up.
Click HERE to see what benefits your membership tier grants you! Interested in an upgrade as well so you don’t miss out? Contact us at info@SalemMuseum.org and we’ll be happy to help!
Battle of Cricket Hill/Gwynn's Island 250th Anniversary Commemoration
July 9-12 in Mathews County, Virginia
Looking for a way to commemorate Andrew Lewis' victory at Gwynn's Island? Plan a trip to the site where it all happened, with ceremonies and battle reenactments happening throughout the weekend.
Learn more about July 9's commemorations click HERE
Learn more about July 10-12's activities click HERE
George Mathews and his Colorful Life
Archeological Society of Virginia Headwaters Chapter Speaker, July 14 at 7:00pm
George Mathews (AKA Rob Laing) will present a lively interpretation of his life. George Mathews was born in Augusta County in 1739 and was a Virginia Merchant and Planter. An officer in the Colonial Militia, he was an instrumental figure in the Battle of Point Pleasant. Robert Laing is a well-known Colonial Re-Enactor and most recently appeared at the Museum as Thomas Batts of the 1671 Batts and Fallom Expedition visit to the Indian village of Totera Town.
Mark Your Calendar
Monthly Speaker Series
Second Thursday of each month, 7pm. January and February on Zoom. July= “A Winding, Rolling Route: America’s Bikecentennial (1976) Beyond the Blue Ridge” with Tom Ewing / August= The Life of Local Actor John Payne with Hunter Haskins / September= A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail with Mills Kelly / November= The Life of Audie Murphey with Panel Discussion
Headwaters Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia Monthly Meetings
Second Tuesday of July, September, and November; 7pm. Free and open to the public. Enjoy monthly speakers on topics of local archeology.
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.
Salem Museum at Mary Draper Ingles Festival
July 25, 10am-4pm. Visit us in Radford, Virginia at the Mary Draper Ingles Festival. See hands-on colonial artifacts and hear Andrew Lewis speak about his life and the American Revolution.
Peggy Shifflett Book Talk
Coming Soon. Local author Peggy Shifflett will discuss her upcoming book and have a book signing.
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.
1619 to Water Street
August 22, 10am-4pm. Join us for a statewide commemoration and celebration of Black history. For this event the Salem Museum will have speakers and the opening of two new Black history exhibits.
Workshops with artist Matilda Wentzel
Returns in August 2026. Join us for arts workshops. RSVP Required. More information HERE
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.
The Cherokee of S.W. Virginia: Then and Now
October 10, 2pm. Come learn about the role the Cherokee play in Virginia's 250 celebrations. See local artifacts used in everyday life from S.W. Virginia thousands of years ago. And learn about the difficulties Virginia's history presents in finding its Cherokee Ancestors, but also how you can honor your family's oral tradition of having Cherokee ancestry.
Audie Murphey Commemorative Hike
October 17, 10am. Join us for a hike to the Audie Murphey memorial.
Pickleball Social
October 17, 4-7pm. Calling all pickleball players! Visit the Salem Museum that evening for refreshments and a chance to meet fellow competitors. Explore the Museum with your friends and meet new team members.
Lithics/Stone Tool Symposium
October 24, 10am-2pm. Join the Headwaters Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia for a day of Native American history and tool demonstrations.
Annual Member Reception
November 12, 5pm; Membership Meeting 6:30pm. All members are welcome to join us for refreshments and socializing prior to our November speaker. At 6:30, hear the annual report and vote on new Board members.
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 19, 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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