Salem Museum in Salem, Virginia

Preserving 300+ years of history, art, and sports in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

New Phone Number

The Salem Museum has a new phone number!

Trying to get in touch with us? Please call 540-927-2066

Thanks to everyone's understanding as we are in this transition process.

Audie Murphy Panel November '26 Square Flyer

"Remembering Audie Murphy" Panel

Thursday November 12, 7:00pm

On Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7 p.m. following the Salem Museum’s Annual Member Reception, the Museum will host a “Remembering Audie Murphy” panel discussion of Murphy’s life and career, as well as honor those first responders to the crash site 55 years ago this year. Among the panelists are Captain Lee Anthony, US Navy (retired), and Colonel Charles Glass, US Air Force (retired), who will share their recollections about the crash and the recovery efforts made by the Civil Air Patrol and others on those dark days in Roanoke Valley history.

To make these events possible, the Salem Museum is partnering with the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, Roanoke College and the College’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), the Fort Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Roanoke Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.

Membership Reception and Annual Meeting

Thursday November 12, Reception at 5pm, Meeting at 6:30pm

Members of all levels are welcomed to the Salem Museum to celebrate another successful year! Enjoy refreshments and get to meet other members, then hear the annual report and vote on new officers.

The purpose of this meeting is to elect Officers and Directors for the upcoming year. Only members may vote. Check your email and membership post card for list of nominees.

The Annual Meeting will be followed immediately by the "Remembering Audie Murphy" Panel.

More Events Here!

Andrew Lewis: Salem's Revolutionary Champion

On Display in the Feature Gallery

Visit us this summer to see the official City of Salem VA250 exhibit about Andrew Lewis, William Fleming, and our local ties to the American Revolution!

This exhibit chronicles the local figures' lives and Lewis' lynchpin status in the course of the American Revolution. Visitors can try on garments, handle tools, and interact with materials resembling those of Revolutionary era Virginia.

Ask An Archaeologist

Thursdays, Saturdays, and Select Tuesdays; on the Ground Floor

Beginning this month stop by the Museum’s Ground Floor to interact with archaeologists as they upgrade our Graham-White site artifact storage boxes. Ask them about the Tutelo who once lived at the site (now the Moyer Sports Complex) and see how they process materials from bone to stone!

Sign up to receive news of exhibits and events by email…

HOURS OF OPERATION

Open Tuesdays — Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm.

Closed on July 4; Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas; New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and the day after New Years.

If the City of Salem Schools are closed for inclement weather, the Museum does not open.

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

Located next to Longwood Park in Downtown Salem
801 East Main Street
Salem, Virginia 24153

From I-81, take exit 140 and head toward Salem on Thompson Memorial Blvd. At Main Street (US 460), turn left. Go .3 mile; the Salem Museum is located at the top of the hill on the left. Our entrance is across from the Berglund Ford service entrance. Look for the “OAKEY FIELD” sign. There is plenty of free, on-site parking.

ADMISSION IS FREE.
DONATIONS ARE
APPRECIATED!

Admission is FREE for all self-guided visitors.

Guided tours are $10 per adult age 15+, and $5 for children. For school groups and educational groups, students are $3 and chaperones are free. Group visits are available when booked at least two weeks in advance.