Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, hospital in Virginia, United States
Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a veterans hospital in Virginia with roots in the 1930s. The campus spans about 445 acres and features more than 30 historic buildings in Colonial Revival and Classical Revival styles, arranged symmetrically around a central main building positioned on a small hill.
The hospital was approved by President Herbert Hoover in 1933 and opened in 1934 as the only VA hospital ever officially dedicated by a sitting president. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech at the dedication ceremony in front of about 40,000 people, which was broadcast on radio across the country.
The name reflects its founding purpose: a hospital built specifically for veterans to support their recovery and honor their service. Visitors can see this original intention in how the buildings and grounds are arranged, with a layout designed to promote both healing and dignity.
The site is spread across a large campus, so visitors should allow time to explore and wear comfortable walking shoes. Various areas are connected by pathways and roads, with historic buildings remaining accessible and clearly marked for orientation.
A flagpole in front of one of the main buildings stands as a quiet memorial to President Roosevelt's dedication ceremony in 1934, a historic moment still felt within the grounds. This connection to presidential history makes the site one of national significance in the story of veterans care.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
