The Salem Museum will open two new exhibits, “The First People of the Roanoke Valley” and “The Eastern Siouan of the Roanoke Valley,” in its Main Gallery on Saturday, Nov. 22. The exhibits will run through late March 2026.
In 1671, European explorers Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam encountered Totero Town, a village believed to have been located in present-day Salem and inhabited by Eastern Siouan-speaking members of the Tutelo tribe. Centuries later, the village’s remains were uncovered during construction of the James I. Moyer Sports Complex. Artifacts recovered from the site are now on display, offering a rare glimpse into Salem’s earliest known community.
“The First People of the Roanoke Valley” focuses on the Tutelo and the broader Eastern Siouan peoples, showing how they shaped the land before European settlement. The exhibit features archaeological artifacts, maps, and interpretive displays, including hunting tools, pottery, and items made from animal hides and bones.
“The Eastern Siouan of the Roanoke Valley” highlights Indigenous resistance and adaptation over the past 400 years. The exhibit includes a timeline display with illustrations and photographs documenting significant moments in Tutelo and Monacan history, showing how the communities endured and evolved over centuries.
The exhibits were made possible in part by a grant from Virginia Humanities. The Salem Museum also acknowledged support from the Monacan Indian Nation, Victoria Ferguson, Dr. Kay McCarron, Dr. Michael Barber, David Watkeys, the Department of Historic Resources, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and the Robertson Endowment for Exhibits and Events.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, historian and living history interpreter Rob Laing will speak at 2 p.m. about the 1671 Batts and Fallam expedition. He will also interpret Robert Fallam on site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A special member preview will be held Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. This event is open to Silver Supporter Members of the Historical Society and above. More information about membership can be found at SalemMuseum.org/Membership or by calling 540-389-6760.
The Salem Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-The Salem Times-Register
