Salem Area Historical Museum

10/20/2026

The Historic and Patriotic Commission wish all former students that return to Salem for the All Class Reunion a wonderful weekend remembering the fun days in High School. The committee has worked hard to provide a great reunion. Our commission is joining in with museum hours with an amazing school exhibit offering items from Central School days unto the present. You won’t believe what has been donated to us through the years and the items people have kept. The Salem Area Museum Friday hours are 3:00 - 6:00 pm. SCHS graduate Mark Larimer will be there to greet and reminisce with you.Saturday hours will be from 9 am until 12 noon. Former SCHS History Teacher Diane Eller and Commission President Myron Lloyd will greet you and answer all questions you might have. We sure look forward to participating in this Amazing historical event. See you soon!

10/20/2026

The Wm. Jennings Bryan home continues to press forward toward appearing more in similarity to when Silas, Mariah and their children were living there. It actually sat on the ground 8 feet to the north of its present location. In 1905 when ground was broken to build the Library, the home was moved 8 feet south. At that time, it was raised and placed on a foundation. The west porch was surround by lattice. We are returning to that time frame. Though the Bryan’s had moved to Deer Park, about 1867, their 600 acre farm on N. Franklin St., their town home remained in the family. Judge Bryan offered it to ministers who needed a place to stay. It was used as the parsonage for several Baptist ministers, the church to which the Bryan family belonged. In time, the couple spent as much time back at 408 as they did at Deer Park until it was sold out of the family. Bryan bought it back into the family when he and Philo Bennett decided to build the library. Also note the hitching post we’ve put back in place. It was generously donated to us by the Kinmundy History Museum at their closing. As spring [2027] arrives, we will be replacing the shrubs removed with with flowering plants that are more appropriate to the time they resided in their first home c. 1852. Jim & I keep moving forward with an accurate restoration effort. B donation, we received 2 more sets of shutters from a Birthplace visitors from Centralia and northern California this past Sunday. Things are going well. We really appreciate the help we have been awarded by the Salem Tourism Commission members. They have been very generous with the Historic and Patriotic Commission to operate and accomplish our goals. We thank them so much. Keep your eyes open for more as you pass the old historic Bryan home at 408. A town gas light post will be in place on S. Broadway, prior to the 2026 “Holiday afternoon Christmas Tea with the Bryan’s.”🌲🌲🌲 Also, thanks to the city crew that did all the work. They are always generous to help us accomplish our efforts. 🎩’s Off to Dave, Grant, Nick, & Todd for being on call.

10/17/2026

Keep the dates. Hope to see you at the Salem Area History Museum at the SCHS All Class Reunion.

10/17/2026

We are gearing up to have the Salem Area History Museum ready for the “SCHS ALL SCHOOL CLASS REUNION,” now a tradition. It will be here before you know it. It’s a grand opportunity for the graduates of Central School, Salem High School and SCHS to reacquaint and reminisce their past. The SAHM is blessed to have so many items in our inventory from the time of Central School [c.1870’s] which instituted a four year graduation program, followed by Salem High School and the present day SCHS. The commission is blessed to have so many class pictures, school books, records from both the Music Department and the Original School Loyalty record, baccalaureate and commencement programs dating back to the late 1870’s, a collection of report cards, original Central School diplomas, Jr. & Sr. Prom favors, many school textiles, school souvenirs, room school bells, a host of Salem Wildcat sports teams photos, SCHS cheerleading uniforms thanks to Debbie Woodruff, a foot ball jersey from the 90’s, Jean Adams twirler uniform, baton and boots. historic SCHS gym seats No’s. 20 & 21, along with and unnumbered amount of class pictures thanks to the “Brinkerhoff Collection.” Another attraction winner is the SAHM school yearbooks collection, dating from 1905 to 2025. Why, we even have the bench that sat outside the door to Supt. B. E. Gums office. And, we even have the door. The gum students stuck underneath the seat prior to going in to visit with Mr. Gum himself sadly had all been removed; however, if the urge strikes, we will have a bowl of Double Bubble handy incase you have the urge to chew, slobber and relive the B. E. Gum experience again in 2026. 😂 Anyway, we are building a nice and interesting exhibit for the graduates of SCHS from the time you park and enter the museum door at 105 S. Broadway, all gifted by a large group of local and generous graduates to help you celebrate your return. WJBD and the Times Commoner will be on hand to interview several former students that just might have a memory or two to share. Looking forward to seeing each of you and enjoy celebrating your high school career and alma-mater. GO WILDCATS!

10/10/2026

FYI

10/10/2026

The Salem Area History Museum is working diligently to have the SAHM ready to visit for the many that will return for the “Salem All Class Reunion” October 24 & 25. We are not finished yet. There is much to be done as we add the final touch especially to the SAHM School exhibit. Severalnew items have been recently acquired. We have been graciously gifted the office bench honoring Bob and Nancy Cone who acquired it years ago. It originally sat just outside B. E. Gums office at the school. When you were sent to The Superintendents office, you waited at outside his office door. If you were chewing gum, you deposited it under the bench seat as he did not like to see gum chewed. Let’s say it made you visit a bit more comfortable according to people today that remember those visits. We have several more items to add to the window exhibits, and a very large school exhibit dating back to Central School opening. Also Central School, the new Salem High School followed by the present SCHS Campus. Keep watching for additional items that will be added along the way, and Thank You to our many donors and those interested in the museum. We look forward to your museum visit and we appreciate the items given. We look forward to each Saturday wondering just who might come in and we are never disappointed. Be sure to watch as you pass by the museum and be prepared to leave your gum under the bench seat just like had become the custom, just before your name was called before entering the Mr. Gums office to receive your sentence. See you all at the Reunion 2026.

10/04/2026

🍁🧡🍂 The “Tales From East Lawn.” What a wonderful tour again this year sharing and reminding Salem residents of those families and individuals that walked before us to help
make Salem the city it is today. Those attending were reminded of family life, both humorous as well as the reality and sadness of death by characters portraying the Larimer, Schwartz, McMackin , Merritt’s, Earnhardt, Sweney and Schoonover families. So many good memories in life to remember, along with the sadness that reminds us to not take life so seriously, that we miss any opportunity to remain close to both family, friends and your many memories. As a commission we must compliment each character, for their accuracy, research and the finesse each brought to life. We end this tour with another group of eight remarkable people that both produced and reminded us of our city named Salem, meaning peace is Jewish. The past might not have always been smooth or perfect; however, we more often than not can peacefully come together, remembering the good. Those attending couldn’t help but experience the humor and sadness of each character, yet leave with a feeling of peace. Thank you to all who support our effort and encourage the Salem Historical Commission to press on with a kindness and appreciation of a wonderful history. See each of you again at East Lawn, 2027. 🍂🧡🍁

09/30/2026

🍁🖼️🍂This painting is the artistic work of the late Thelma Lauer, wife of Dr. Lauer who formerly practiced in Salem. This painting was graciously donated to the museum to honor Dr & Mrs. Lauer by Frank Brinkerhoff. We thought for fun, serious fun we’d offer our museum Face Page friends a chance to suggest a name that is in good taste. Mrs. Lauer didn’t name this piece, so we open it up to the public. Just another way to celebrate the “Little Egypt Festival!” We will keep a check on your suggestions and call a win on Sunday. I think of this couple as very proper, kind and classy. Possibly that will help you in your suggestion. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts. Have fun. 👩‍🎨🎨🖌️🖼️

09/30/2026

Do remember. It’s a big weekend in Salem. “Little Egypt Festival” weekend, parade and the “Tales of East Lawn” yearly cemetery tour. Also the Salem Area History Museum will be open Saturday from 9 am until time for parade to start. The Salem Historic Commission looks forward to welcoming our community and surrounding areas to the museum. We have many items that recall our past. We commit to collecting, preserving, protecting and presenting Salem past to all that choose to stop in. There is no charge, though donations are appreciated. Thank you for all who have donated, shared family items, and especially encourage us as we commit to presenting Salem past in a tasteful way. As we say…”See you at the Museum!”

09/30/2026

Thank you for understanding our purpose

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