Cheers for 30 Years at the Salem Museum
After years of dreaming and hard work, the Salem Museum opened in the historic Williams-Brown House on June 27, 1992. The Museum is celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a feature exhibit that takes a look back at artifacts and stories now preserved in the Museum’s collections. Admission is free.
Some favorite—but rarely seen—objects appear in this eclectic display, including:
- a trans-oceanic short-wave radio and other examples of early technology
- military equipment from conflicts dating back to the French and Indian War
- paintings of the Museum’s historic home, plus photography and other artwork
- plus, discover why the Museum has such a sizable collection of dirt!
For those who are curious about museum operations, the exhibit also explains some of the behind-the-scenes procedures that go into curating, preserving, storing, and displaying objects, and how information about them is recorded and is able to be searched.
Significantly, the Museum’s three decades of success celebrate its founders, members, volunteers, and donors who have given so generously of their time, heirlooms, and financial resources to make the Salem Museum what it is today.
Cheers for 30 Years includes something for all ages and is fun for Salem natives and out-of-town visitors alike. Touchable objects and activities are included.
The exhibit is underwritten by the William and Margaret Robertson Endowment Fund and was designed by Alex Burke, the Museum’s Assistant Director. The exhibit will be on display through the fall.
Elizabeth College: The Happy Start and the Tragic End
Before Roanoke College expanded into what is now known as Elizbeth Campus, the site was a college for women–Elizabeth College. The school opened in 1912 with 42 students and soon became known for its music and theatre programs. The College lasted a decade until a devastating fire destroyed the Main Hall during Christmas break in 1921. The students returned and finished the year studying in an array of places, but the college was never rebuilt.
Learn more in a feature exhibit about Elizabeth College curated by Maddie Andrews, an intern from Roanoke College.