Sky Parlor History

03/01/2024

Exciting news! The Stories Within These Walls, the documentary commissioned by the Salem Museum and Salem Historical Society will premiere on YouTube and Vimeo on Monday, March 4! Locals, if you've ever been curious about the history of this house, this film takes you from its construction all the way up to today! It has a special place in my heart, for sure!

02/28/2024

Many of Virginia's old railroad grades have been converted into multi-use recreation trails perfect outdoor lovers who prefer more moderate and leisurely outdoor experiences. The routes' gentle, mostly flat trails range from a few miles to more and wind...

02/14/2024

Take a look at this funny but historically accurate look at Victorian Courtship advice, filmed in Roanoke and Salem, VA!

Happy Valentine's Day! 💝 Please, go watch 📖Gentlemen's Guide here: https://youtu.be/xMZvQsFwmz4 Don't forget to let us know what you think in the YouTube comments, and, share with anyone you think might enjoy it, too! 💘

11/28/2023

11/16/2023

After Frederick J. Kimball rejected the idea of re-naming Big Lick "Kimball," the citizens of the up-and-coming town decided a new name was still in order if it was to become a hub of two major railroads. They just had to look around to see the Roanoke River that surrounded the town and decided on the name Roanoke, after the Algonquian word for shell money. The Native Americans wore the rawrenoke around their necks and they named the river after the clam shells they harvested from the river!

11/09/2023

Roanoke was NEARLY called Kimball, VA when in 1881 Frederick J. Kimball, the president of Norfolk and Western Railways, selected Big Lick as the junction between the Shenandoah Line and N&W Line. (Under Kimball, N&W became famous for the manufacturing of the steam locomotives in the Roanoke Shops!) The little village of Big Lick was so grateful to him they offered to rename the town Kimball in his honor! He declined. But, they DID build a fountain in his honor in 1907. The red marble "Man, Bird and Beast" fountain still stands today at the intersection of Williamson and Church Avenue.

11/08/2023

Big Lick was the name of the town until 1882 when it officially became "Roanoke." The big salt lick was located right about the current intersection of Campbell and Williamson Roads, where "Big Lick Junction" is located today. AND, the streams that pushed the Big Salt Lick to the surface all those years ago are still running underneath the city today!

11/08/2023

What's in a name? Turns out...a lot! This week we'll be exploring the many names of Roanoke, Virginia and how they came to be!

11/03/2023

11/02/2023

Happy Birthday, Cookie Monster!

What better way to celebrate Cookie Monster’s birthday than to… put him on display! That’s right! Starting today, Cookie Monster is now on display in our “Entertainment Nation”/“Nación del espectáculo” exhibit!

Covered in blue fur with large googly eyes, Cookie Monster is one of the main characters on Sesame Street.



The Museum cares for the Henson collection with generous support from the Jane Henson Foundation.

The Television Gallery in Entertainment Nation is generously supported by Tom and Karen Rutledge.

Gift of the Family of Jim Henson: Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson and Heather Henson.

10/31/2023