By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Keeping up the oldest home in Salem has become too much for the Salem Historical Society’s membership, so now the board is asking the City of Salem to consider taking over the city’s oldest house and nine acres surrounding it.
Monday night historical society representatives explained to Salem City Council members in the work session preceding the meeting why the society hopes the city will take over historical Preston Place, built in 1821.
The brick home on West Main Street across from WalMart is now the location of GLOW Healing Arts, a holistic wellness center. In 2017 the historical society completed renovations to the home where Salem’s first female doctor, Esther Brown, and her family lived.
The Brown family gave the building and nine acres to the historical society. Its first tenant after renovations done by the society, contractors and volunteers was the White Oak Tea Tavern, which operated for three years until closing during the COVID pandemic.
“Managing the property out there has gotten to be too much for the society,” said Preston Place Committee Member Tom Copenhaver, mentioning the age of society members, only two paid staff, and multiple responsibilities and expenses for the museum’s home, the Williams-Brown House.
“The museum’s green roof has leaked from Day 1,” he said, “and needs replacing.”
Copenhaver mentioned potential uses the Preston Place property might provide, including possible walking trails, and enhancement for West Main Street.
Incoming Society President Jim Laub said “Maybe something could be put there to welcome people into Salem, coming off I-81 by Wildwood Road.”
He noted the Brown family is aware of the society’s plans to have someone else take over the house. The family has to option to buy the house, he said. “The other option is to publicly offer the house for sale.”
Directors said the Brown family is happy with the idea Preston Place might go to Salem. Copenhaver added the property is valuable, with a tax assessment of $280,000.
Salem Councilman Randy Foley questioned if “Giving you $300,000 solves the immediate problem, but not long term?”
Laub said, “I think Preston Place is just too big for us,” adding that leadership can manage the museum building expenses, with $750,000 in endowments.
Also present at the work session included Salem Museum current Executive Director, Garrett Channell and Current Society Board President Susan Mini.
Copenhaver invited Councilmembers to tour Preston Place. New Councilmember and Vice Mayor Anne Marie Green said she wants to do that.
Preston Place is one of the earliest homes in the Roanoke Valley. Local blacksmith John Cole built a cabin on the site in the 1790s, and opened his home to travelers passing through on the Great Road. Guests were said to have included Davy Crockett and Lois Philippe, future king of France.
According to the home’s history, Cole sold the property to John Johnston, who built the current brick house and used some beams and other materials from Cole’s cabin. Charles Isaac Preston for whom the house is named bought the property for $600.
He was a farmer, a Confederate War veteran and the Town of Salem Sheriff. Dr. Brown and her family inherited the house. Her family donated the house and property to the Salem Museum and Historical Society after her death in 2010.
