Until about a month ago, the construction site for the Salem Museum didn’t look like a whole lot was going on. Now, with the excavation out of the way and the back section built up to the first level of the Brown house, things are looking pretty busy across from East Hill cemetery.”We’ve done very well in a tough economy, but we still need more money,” said John Long, director of the Salem Museum, as he helped Burks Logan, a board member, find the words to describe the project’s fundraising status.

A silver Leadership in energy and environmental design certification, at the least, is what architects and builders are going for. While there won’t be features like geothermal heating like the Salem Museum had initially hoped to upgrade to, the work will on par with the LEED certification.

The back section of the museum has two floors, and its roof will be “green” and first level of the Brown House. It will be lined with planters and made to be walked on – it will surround a meeting room that is planned to be appropriate for receptions and parties. Atop the meeting room, there will be a library for archives and meetings.

The Salem Fine Arts Commission will finally have a physical location in the offices and galleries in the lowest level.

What is something the director is really excited about?

The westward view of Longwood Park is spectacular, and from the “green” roof, you can see the clock atop the old courthouse, now known as the Francis T. West academic building. The gallery of the Salem Museum will have a fine window that looks over the park as well.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars with the Salem Museum’s ghost walk. This year, it will take place October 24 and 27. Instead of starting at the museum, it will start at the carriage house where the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce has its offices.