William Watts donated house to Salem Historical Society, which moved it to current site. Opened as The Salem Museum in June 1992. Among prominent citizens buried here are the Rev. B. F. Fox, founder of Shiloh Baptist Church, branch of First Baptist. Heirs sold it to Town of Salem in 1942. Used for meetings until fire destroyed it in 1968.
Carriage house remains and is used by park services.
After Roanoke County was established in 1838, first courthouse served as meeting place, muster point and hospital during Civil War. In early 1900s Salem erected this courthouse on same site. In 1980, the county built another courthouse immediately to the east and Roanoke College acquired the old structure. The Southern Cross Chapter of United Daughters of Confederacy dedicated the Confederate Monument on the lawn in 1909. 5. Served as hotel around 1900, boarding summer guests.