Building For The Future
In the fifteen years that the Salem Museum has been open, the collections, programs, and public profile has grown enormously—but the historic house in which we’re located has stayed the same size! In response we are now planning a major expansion to the rear of the existing Salem Museum building, the 1845 Williams-Brown House. The four-story addition, connected to the original house at the rear, will protect the historical integrity of the venerable old building, while adding more than 9,000 square feet of program space. The new building, designed by SmithLewis Architecture of Salem, will be environmentally friendly and offer handicapped access to the museum.
A Greener Brown House
At minimum, our new building will seek a LEED certification at the gold level from the United States Green Building Council. LEED—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—is a highly selective designation recognizing buildings constructed as they should be—with the environment in mind. The new museum wing will be the first LEED building in Salem and one of only a handful on the gold level in Virginia. |
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Ground Floor
The ground floor will contain new gallery space for the Salem Fine Arts Commission as well as storage and office space. The new Fine Arts Gallery will open onto an outdoor sculpture courtyard with direct access to Longwood Park. The Salem Fine Arts Commission is a City Council appointed body assigned the role to “inform, encourage, and involve the Salem Community in the fine arts.” They seek to bring together the arts community and then bring the arts into the community at large.
Though active for years, the Salem Fine Arts Commission has never had a physical address, an office, or space to exhibit the works of local artists. From this need began a collaborative effort between the Salem Historical Society and the Salem Fine Arts Commission to turn the expanded Salem Museum into even more of a cultural asset for the region!
First Floor
The First Floor will contain a new handicapped accessible entryway featuring an expanded herb garden and outdoor seating area. Inside, a new History Gallery will complement the existing exhibit space to be maintained in the Williams-Brown House. New office space, an expanded gift shop, and public rest rooms will be located on the first floor, as well as a small kitchen for use by caterers. The new History Gallery will provide an expanded space for permanent and rotating exhibits.
Second Floor
The second floor will feature a reception and seminar room providing much needed meeting and classroom space for the Museum, and offering rental opportunities to the community. The reception room will have direct access to an innovative “Green Roof” garden, providing further gathering space in one of Salem’s most scenic locations. From the roof, visitors will enjoy a panoramic view of Longwood Park, Salem and the mountains beyond.
Third Floor
The third floor of the expanded museum will house a new Library with adjacent archive storage. The Library will provide additional meeting and classroom space, and will serve as a much-utilized center for researching the history of our region. 
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download brochure (.pdf)
How can I help?
To bring the Salem Museum to its next level of growth, the Board of Director's has authorized a $3 million dollar capital campaign. Gifts and pledges are currently being solicited--please consider what you might do to make our vision a reality! If you would like more information about our capital campaign or our building project, you may download a full-text version of our Campaign Brochure, or give us a call at 540-389-6760. Many thanks! |
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