Appalachia is a region with a culture all its own that spans several centuries. On Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23, the Salem Museum will celebrate some of the most colorful aspects of Appalachian culture, history, trades, and arts.

On Friday, September 22 at 7 p.m., New York Times best-selling author Sharyn McCrumb returns to the Salem Museum to talk about her newest novel, The Unquiet Grave, a ghost-inspired legend from 1890s West Virginia. The Unquiet Grave is the true story of one of the strangest murder trials in history, the only case in America in which the testimony of a ghost led to the conviction of her killer.

Sharyn McCrumb is the first author to look beneath the legend of the Greenbrier Ghost to unearth the facts of the case. Using a century of genealogical material and other historical documents, McCrumb reveals new information and brings to life the complicated personalities involved in the trial. With McCrumb’s skillful blend of masterful research and mesmerizing story telling, The Unquiet Grave confirms Sharyn McCrumb’s place among the finest Southern writers at work today.

On Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., experience Appalachian heritage, culture and crafts with demonstrations, talks, and hands-on activities taking place inside and outside the Museum. Enjoy quilting demonstrations, bee-keeping, live music, children’s games and toys, leather working, basket making, talks on gardening and herbal remedies, plus we’ll be making apple butter–come help stir! Signed copies of Sharyn McCrumb’s newest novel, The Unquiet Grave, will be available in the Museum’s gift shop. Visit SalemMuseum.org for the complete schedule of events. Event partner: Glenvar High School.

-Submitted by Fran Ferguson, Salem Museum Executive Director