The Dent County Museum, home to thousands of items from the county’s history, opened Memorial Day. The museum is open each Sunday through the end of September. The historic Elmer home is located at 400 North Pershing Ave., Salem.
The Dent County Museum opened May 30, 1976. The former home of the late William P. Elmer was purchased to be converted to the museum. Elmer, a lawyer, was a U.S. Congressman from Dent County. The Elmer house was built in 1895. Many of his descendants still live in the area.
“The home has persevered in a world of many highs and many lows throughout its 125-year history,” said the annual museum letter.
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Additional items from the past year include an old cash register from the Maledy estate sale, as well as business memorabilia from Pines Chevrolet and other local businesses.
Museum visitors can step back in time with the rooms decorated similarly to what they may have looked like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A new addition in 2019 was construction of a 24x30 building that is ADA accessible, that has been used for board and other community meetings.
Continued improvements to the landscape are ongoing.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Memberships are available for $10 per person per year, or $100 per person lifetime.
Dent County Museum Board members are Jo Ann Wells, Jean Capps, A.J. Seay, Marsha Odom, Cindy Sachs, Mary Sue Moody, Ken Brasier, Jay Anderson and Catherine Wynn.
For more information, to donate or to schedule visits outside the Sunday hours, call Jo Ann Wells at 729-2643 or 247-7899. Follow the Dent County Museum on Facebook.
