Fort New Salem

Name: Fort New Salem
Address: 81 Settlers Lane PO Box 186, Salem, WV, 26426, US
Telephone: (304) 695-2220
Price range: $

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Fort New Salem

Fort New Salem is a living history outdoor museum interpreting the history, crafts and lifestyles of

08/09/2026

Wonderful concert last night under the stars. Great audience sing-along led by Bill Schilling and several of our workshop teachers.

08/04/2026

DULCIMER FESTIVAL UPDATE

We're thrilled to announce that on Saturday August 8th, we're introducing kiddo-only dulcimer sessions (because let's be real, adults can be a little too serious sometimes)!

Beginning Dulcimer for Children Part 1 (9 AM) and Part 2 (1:15 PM) at Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane (PO Box 186), Salem, WV 26426.

Who knows, we might just create the next big thing in dulcimer superstars!

Visit www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org/dulcimer-festival for more information or call 304-695-2220.

Preregistration is recommended.

Ask about our kiddo discount.

08/02/2026

35th DULCIMER FESTIVAL

For more than three decades, music lovers have gathered at Fort New Salem for the Dulcimer Festival. Join us August 7–9 as old friends reunite and new friendships are formed during this annual summer event. The weekend will feature music, vendors, evening concerts, Appalachian artisans, and hands-on music workshops for players of all levels. Workshops will focus primarily on mountain and hammered dulcimers, with additional sessions on other folk instruments and voice. Musicians from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will lead the instruction.

Workshop applications are available by calling 304-695-2220 or at the event.

Concerts will be held Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Each “coffee house” style concert will feature short sets by several workshop leaders. Concert admission is included with general admission.

Vendors will be available throughout the weekend selling instruments and supplies. The Fort New Salem Gift Shop will also be open, offering refreshments, gifts, and crafts.

Demonstrations in tin smithing, blacksmithing, paper marbling, fiddle making, and more are also scheduled.

Cabins not being used for music workshops are open for general touring.

Daily general admission is $8, and children ages 10 and under are free. This also includes the daily concert. Music workshops may be added to general admission for Saturday, Sunday, or both days.

Event hours are:
Friday: Opens at 7 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Opens at 9 a.m.; concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closing “all participants” concert begins at 2:15 p.m.

For more information about Fort New Salem, visit www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org or call 304-695-2220.
This event is sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, Fort New Salem Foundation, Salem University, Salem Shop & Save, and WVU Medicine United Hospital Center.

07/29/2026

NEW EXHIBIT

We have a display about the Early History of the American Flag.
It features four iconic early American history flags,
The Grand Union Flag of General Washington,
The Betsy Ross Flag,
The Hopkinson Flag, and
The 1795 Flag known as the Star Spangled Banner
Stop by and see this display, located in the Weavers Room, when you next visit us!

Fort New Salem
81 Settlers Lane (PO Box 186)
Salem, Wv 26426

07/26/2026

Join us for the world premiere of EPISODE 5 of MOUNTAINTHOLOGY, a captivating series of micro documentaries on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, exploring the rich heritage of West Virginia and Appalachia, hosted by David Markum. Tonight, July 26th, 2026, tune in at 7 PM to discover the art of hearth cooking, featuring Dick & Martha Hartley, long-time Friends of the Fort, as they demonstrate traditional cooking techniques at Fort New Salem's historic OLD KITCHEN. Don't miss this exciting episode!

Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, PO Box 186, Salem, WV 26426.

07/23/2026

During your next visit to Fort New Salem, we invite you to explore our gift shop, featuring an array of unique, one-of-a-kind items. Our latest additions include two distinct styles of wind chimes, which support our Preserve Appalachia Campaign and produce a melodious sound when touched by the summer breeze. We are also pleased to again offer the Classic Falling Man Wooden Children's toy, as well as our special Celebrate America 250 Fort New Salem Garden Flags. Furthermore, our Preserve Appalachia Wooden Coaster set is now available as well as a series of 6 post cards featuring various picturesque scenes

Fort New 81 Settlers Lane, PO Box 186, Salem, WV 26426.

07/21/2026

Join us for a night of limitless possibility as we celebrate the final performance of our 2026 'Myths of the Mountains' series at Fort New Salem! 🌟 On Saturday, July 25, embark on a journey through Appalachian tales that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. 🌲 Our guides will lead you on a lamplight tour, weaving together classic stories and original tales that will ignite your imagination. 🔥 With planned stops at multiple cabins, you'll experience the magic and wonder of our costumed storytellers. ✨

Tours launch every 10 minutes starting at 8 PM, and admission is just $8 per person, including a complimentary cup of cider. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult. 🎉 Plus, explore our gift shop and enjoy a refreshing cup of chilled apple cider on us! 🍺

Our last tour launches at 9:30 PM.

For more information, call 304-695-2220. This unforgettable event is proudly sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, Fort New Salem Foundation, Long Reach Federal Credit Union, Salem University, and WVU Medicine – United Hospital Center.

Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, PO Box 186, Salem, WV 26426.

07/12/2026

Last tour starts at 9:30p- come out for a night of storytelling-

07/10/2026

What is Myths of the Mountains?

In the early years of our country, families entertained themselves and a big part of that was story telling. Timeless classics, family treasurers and more were passed on from generation to generation.

Each summer in July, Fort New Salem gathers some awesome storytellers and opens up for a special evening of live theater in our cabins by lamplight.

This is a guided tour where visitors are assigned a costumed interpreter for the evening, and you will traverse a path through multiple cabins.

You may have seen our cabins in the daytime but at night, well that's a whole other story! :-)

It's season 14 of MTYS OF THE MOUNTAINS.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 & SATURDAY JULY 25
Opens 8 PM with new tours launching every 10 minutes.
Our last tour starts at 9:30 PM. Each tour is approximately 1 hour

Admission is $8 per person and includes a complimentary cup of cider. Children 10 and under are admitted free with paying adult. Our gift shop will also be open where our guests are offered a complimentary cup of chilled apple cider.

And yes.... with the sweltering heat we will have cold water and various soda's available in our gift shop.

For more information on Fort New Salem visit www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org or call 304-695-2220.

Fort New Salem
81 Settlers Lane PO Box 186
Salem, WV 26426

07/06/2026

Fort New Salem welcomes visitors for a unique evening of Appalachian tales during our 14th annual “Myths of the Mountains” on Saturday, July 11 and July 25.

Guests are assigned a personal guide who escorts by lamplight on a special night tour of Fort New Salem. Each tour includes planned stops at multiple cabins for folklore tales delivered by our costumed story tellers. Stories are a mix of Appalachian classics and original tales.

Tours launch every 10 minutes starting at 8 PM with the last beginning at 9:30 PM and are approximately one hour in length. Admission is $8 per person and includes a complimentary cup of cider. Children 10 and under are admitted free with paying adult.

Our gift shop will also be open where our guests are offered a complimentary cup of chilled apple cider.

For more information on Fort New Salem 304-695-2220. This event is sponsored by the Burke & Herbert Bank, Fort New Salem Foundation, Long Reach Federal Credit Union, Salem University, WVU Medicine – United Hospital Center

Fort New Salem
81 Settlers Lane PO Box 186
Salem, WV 26426

Address

81 Settlers Lane PO Box 186
Salem, WV
26426

Telephone

(304) 695-2220

Website

http://fortnewsalemfoundation.org/

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