Salem Area Historical Museum

Salem Area Historical Museum Salem Area Historical Museum educates, preserves and narrates the inspiring story of the Greater Salem Area.

🇺🇸🇺🇸 I must share. I had really hoped tosee a few more comments from students who attended Ray School, or had family tha...
08/19/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸 I must share. I had really hoped to
see a few more comments from students who attended Ray School, or had family that did. Great Grandparents, grandparents, parents or aunt, uncles and friends that have passed comments down to the generations after them as they all sat around a Sunday or holiday dinner table with family. I have found most on our page had never heard of Ray School, even Marion Counties Ray family. I have found nothing even written about it in research other than a name on a map. Maybe it had a smaller area to serve, or there could be various reasons. This school became of interest to me at the request I received from ancestors of Mrs. Rosa Farthing Thurman who they thought began her teaching career at Ray. They were hoping the Historical Commission could possibly enlighten them on its location. And we have to thank our followers for the help that have brought us this far. I was just hoping we could find some information or stories to help make it all real to the family. I’m encouraged in this day and age they are even interested and seeking. Being of an historical nature myself it’s the stories of the past that breathes life back into moments of human “yesteryear” and helps memories recalled to become almost real again. If you have anything to share that isn’t critical or shouldn’t be discussed on social media, we appreciate that. I can’t imagine that action with the devoted followers we have. And your comments and positive remarks are certainly appreciated. It’s a learning opportunity for us also. Just as a heads up…commissioner Brad Crow will be attaching outstanding research of his that will bring back to you the Salem Coal Mining industry, a part of Salem past. Part of our effort is to keep Salems past alive and available. Brad is going to be a big part of that effort. He’s an amazing researcher and writer. The historic commission is blest to have him and his talent as a commissioner. And each of you, our followers, the spark that makes it happen. Stay tuned for more moments in Salems memory brought to you by the Salem Historical & Patriotic Commission. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

The historical marker honoring the old Marion County RAY one room School on Levee Road North off Rt. 37. Thank you to al...
08/17/2026

The historical marker honoring the old Marion County RAY one room School on Levee Road North off Rt. 37. Thank you to all that helped me in finding its location and the historical markers placed by Sam Phillips in his effort to honor each One Room School location possible in Marion County. What an effort that took. I was asked to assist Mrs. Rosa Thurmans California descendents as they are very interested in knowing its location. With the response and encouragement from the Salem Area History Museum Face Book friends, “the deed is done!” Thank you again.

Looking forward to seeing visitors at the Salem Area History Museum tomorrow from 9 am until noon. Several new exhibits ...
08/14/2026

Looking forward to seeing visitors at the Salem Area History Museum tomorrow from 9 am until noon. Several new exhibits have come together very well offering wonderful Salem Memories. When the museum opened in 2021, Salems Community State Bank donated several cases of coffee cups with pictures of Salem historical points on them. They appear as a pen and ink. It was very generous of them. So, if you stop in the museum feel free to grab a cup while the supply lasts and take it home for Sunday mornings coffee. Look forward to seeing you. Oh…we’re trying to locate the old Ray one Room School southwest of Salem in the Romine Twp. area. If you can give us a hint, especially the road it sat on we’d sure appreciate it. Im trying to help family in California locate where the school was. It no longer functions as a school, was bought, moved and has been some home for a number of years. And… we’re always open to stories that have been passed down through Salem. See ya tomorrow.

Gods Mercy…there is nothing that can compare. Makes me think of the childhood prayer…”God is good…God is great…”
07/23/2026

Gods Mercy…there is nothing that can compare. Makes me think of the childhood prayer…”God is good…God is great…”

🇺🇸🇺🇸 Well here stands the Patriot Guard at the door of the museum. I am taken by surprise each time I enter the museum…n...
07/23/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸 Well here stands the Patriot Guard at the door of the museum. I am taken by surprise each time I enter the museum…not to mention I’m the one that stationed him there. Oh well. I don’t jump as much as I did at first. And we appreciate the many compliments for honoring “America 250” with the Salem Area History Museum being decorated for the celebration. There is nothing that compares to red/white &/ Blue when it comes to patriotism. We finally got the soldiers feet covered. According to Bob Lybarger, at that period in time, some had boots, others wrapped their feet and legs in animals hides, and secured with leather strips or twine. Depending on their station in life, some wrapped their feet in old rags and some fought with bare feet. Well this guy has feet wrapped in antique muslin tied with actual country twine. His long gun could fire and the bayonet is worn and a tad bit rusty; however, I’m believing he could put up a good fight if in battle. In this 21st century generation, we have no idea what the soldiers of the Revolutionary War went through to secure our freedom and future. I’m grateful and sure you are too. If you descend from those who fought in that war…feel free to comment on this page. The DAR tree in the North museum window has the names of local descendants whose ancestors fought in the War for Independence. I’m curious how many descendants still live in Marion County. It would be interesting to know. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

How nice to have Dr. Nesmiths children with us on Saturday at the Salem Area History Museum. It’s always a bonus to have...
07/15/2026

How nice to have Dr. Nesmiths children with us on Saturday at the Salem Area History Museum. It’s always a bonus to have family members join in the opening of an exhibit, bringing life back into our past as a community. Sure appreciate them joining in. The Nesmith family descend for one of the early Salem families that helped contribute much to our community in the 1800’s. The home Dr. was raised in still stands on the corner at 432 East Church St. and S. Hamilton St. Prior to that it was the corner where the first Baptist church built their first church, a frame building destroyed by a fire in the mid 1800’s. The church later built their first brick building at the corner of Church St. and South Broadway, now the location of the Holiness Church. So much interesting history of this place we call home. Shalom meaning peace.

🇺🇸 The “America 250” celebration was well planned, sponsored and well supported by the Salem Community. Salem was impres...
07/13/2026

🇺🇸 The “America 250” celebration was well planned, sponsored and well supported by the Salem Community. Salem was impressed with a large amount of dressed retail windows around town and many homes and yards dressed to celebrate the grand historical date. The SAHM was hoping to include a soldier dressed to the hilt; however, the reenactment members in the area were needing their costumes for the wonderful dinner served at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Bob Lybarger got us fixed up this week. We do have an authentic Patriot on guard as you enter the museum, with tricorn hat in place and his long gun at his side, donated by the family of Mike Mullin. So be careful as you enter and don’t take him by surprise. He’s still on guard and will be until August 1st. 🇺🇸

This Saturday, July 11, from 9:00 am until 12:00, the Salem Area History Museum will be opening the Dr. Harry Dewitt Nes...
07/09/2026

This Saturday, July 11, from 9:00 am until 12:00, the Salem Area History Museum will be opening the Dr. Harry Dewitt Nesmith exhibit. Honoring his medical career, for many years in Salem and his commitment to the Salem Lions Club, his family will be at the museum in honor of their father, being interviewed by WJBD and the Salem Times Commoner about 10:30 am. Feel free to come by to see the exhibits and share a memory with daughter Lael and son Don. What a marvelous career he had using his medical knowledge and gift to care for patients in Salem, his service while in the military and his medical practice in Michigan before returning to Salem, his home town. He was also a strong supporter of The Lions Club Eye-bank. It’s a really great exhibit and a very generous permanent donation to the SAHM for which we are grateful. See you at the museum.

07/06/2026

After you retire, you soon are more seated in the life retirement offers. Accept the change and trust the words of this post. It’s a wonderful transition that you’ve earned. Allow it to happen would be my advice. It’s worth every moment and opportunity it offers. A true blessing you’ve earned. ♥️🇺🇸♥️

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Salem, our fine community has done so well to celebrate with honor America 250. 🇺🇸 Hats off to the committee that ...
07/04/2026

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Salem, our fine community has done so well to celebrate with honor America 250. 🇺🇸 Hats off to the committee that has worked so diligently, along with our business’s to make this celebration all it should be and more. Especially Mark Decker who is always willing to chair anything that benefits others, and honorably lifts up our great county! The 250 celebration began Wed and Thursday evening with the amazing movie “The Great Awakening” gifted free of charge by the Salem First Baptist Church. Our community turned out well on Friday to celebrate dinner together and remember our country well, with provided music of that day, speeches about the brave in Marion County, our Middle School children’s speeches of what it means to care about others with kindness and respect in addition to a delightful meal that would have been served in 1776. It was a delightful evening and reinforces how blessed we are to be Americans and that Freedom still rings loud and clear in America regardless of the negatives in this world. The celebration continues Saturday with the Salem Area Museum open from 9 am until 1 pm. We will have a new exhibit to offer honoring the medical care, and the medical instruments and the life and service of Dr. Harry Dewitt Nesmith in his amazing Salem roles in as both a highly respected physician, family man, businessman and devoted member of the Salem Lions Club where he especially pushed for and promoted the Lions Eye Bank, helping to both save and repair eyesight. Also the Wm. Jennings Bryan Birthplace will be open Sunday from 12 O’clock noon until 3:00 pm celebrating the lives of the Honorable Silas and Mariah Jennings Bryan and their family. It’s been a great celebration so far and with more in store, and it’s not over yet. Salems fabulous fire works display will provide a great finale to our celebration of American FREEDOM since 1776. We are so blessed. Also, be sure to attend the church of your faith and give God thanks and the glory for all your many blessings of being an American. I’ll close with my thought for the day. “Look for what is Good, and you will certainly find it.” 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Address

115 South Broadway
Salem, IL
62881

Telephone

+16185482222

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Salem Area Historical Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Salem Area Historical Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category