Salem in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Fort New Salem

Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024

1. Fort New Salem Marker

Inscription.
Established as a learning center by the former Salem College in 1970, this log house museum is a collection of relocated structures representing the culture and lifestyle of rural West Virginia from 1792 to 1901. Now owned and operated by the Fort New Salem Foundation, the site continues to reflect the influences of English, Welsh, Scotch-Irish, and German farm culture, as well as the traditions of the Seventh Day Baptists who settled in Salem in 1789.
Experiences for both hands and minds!

Erected by Frontiers to Mountaineers Heritage Tourism, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the Benedum Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 39° 17.363′ N, 80° 33.949′ W. Marker is in Salem, West Virginia, in Harrison County. It is on Settlers Lane south of Salem College Road (County Route 23/20), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 81 Settlers Lane, Salem WV 26426, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Salem World War I Honor Roll (approx. half a mile away); Salem Fork Pilot Watershed (approx. half a mile away); World War II Honor Roll (approx. half a mile away); Melvin Mayfield (approx. half a mile away); Salem Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Salem (approx. half a mile away); Salem at the Turn of the Century (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ramage Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Regarding Fort New Salem. Fort New Salem is a representative frontier log house settlement of 19th century West(ern) Virginia. The 8 acre campus features 17 Appalachian log structures. Fort New Salem is adjacent to Salem International

Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024

2. Fort New Salem Marker

University and is a living history outdoor museum interpreting the history, crafts and lifestyles of the area.

Fort New Salem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024

3. Fort New Salem

Block House at Fort New Salem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024

4. Block House at Fort New Salem

Block House Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, September 17, 2024

5. Block House Plaque

(Each donated structure includes unique information)

Original Location:
Wolf Summit, Harrison County (1st floor)
Doddridge County (2nd floor)

Donated by:
Emma & Sarah Pitts (1st floor) Conrad Seese (2nd floor)

Original Sponsor:
1092 Eng. Bn., C Co. of the WVANG

Restoration Sponsor:
Reshape the Future Campaign

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 252 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2026, by Dr Joseph Audia, Fort New Salem Foundation Board Chair of Salem, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.