John Long of the Salem Museum shares the following release about their upcoming wreath exhibition:

In the ancient world, people hung evergreen wreaths on their homes to symbolize victory, hope for the coming spring, and the imminent return of daylight in the bleak European winters. Today we hang wreaths for different reasons, but the time-honored Christmas wreath is still an endearing–and enduring–symbol of the season.

Once again this year, the Salem Museum will show off the talents of local Christmas elves in its second annual Wreath Exhibition, marking the joyous season and brightening souls. Best of all, all of the wreaths will be available for purchase through a silent auction that will support the Museum.

The special exhibition will feature some thirty-two handcrafted wreaths, each lovingly created by the local community and donated for the cause.

“We are very pleased to offer this Wreath Exhibition to the public again this year,” said Connie Stone, a museum board member and one of the coordinators for the event. “This year all of the wreaths will be hung in the main gallery, making it easier to appreciate them all and easier to make bids.”

“It will look like a wonderland of Christmas in here,” Stone added.

The wreaths have been donated by local businesses, clubs and individuals and are crafted to showcase the unique personalities of the creators. From the very traditional to the whimsically unusual, each wreath is unique, and each is sure to bring out the Christmas spirit in even the most hard-hearted Scrooge.

“We are especially pleased this year to have four schools participating,” noted Vicky Piper, who originated the event last year and has taken the lead in organizing it again. Students at Andrew Lewis and Glenvar Middle Schools and Salem and Glenvar High Schools contributed wreaths. “We want all generations to share in the activities of our Museum,” said Piper.

The overall result is a delightfully eclectic collection and an important fundraiser for the Museum.

The Salem Museum Wreath Exhibition opens Tuesday, Nov. 13 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 9. Throughout that time visitors are invited to make bids on as many wreaths as they like in the silent auction. Bidding is anonymous, so a bidding number can be picked up from the reception desk at the Museum. The winners may take their wreaths home after Dec. 9, when the Museum will celebrate the season with a special event titled “Yules of Yore,” hearkening back to Christmas traditions past.

Tickets to a festive and elegant Holiday Tea Party held that day will be available at the Museum.

Visitors to see the wreath exhibition, which is free and open to the public, are also invited to see the fascinating exhibits at the Salem Museum, including “The Fiery Ordeal Through Which They Passed: Salem and the Civil War” and the ever popular “Lakeside! Sixty Summers of Ups and Downs.”

The Salem Museum is located in the antebellum Williams-Brown House of Longwood Park, at 801 East Main St. in Salem. No admission is charged for the Museum galleries.