The Government Museum in Salem occupies a colonial-era building and covers the district's archaeological finds, natural history, and crafts. The sculpture gallery holds pieces from nearby temple sites, some dating to the 9th and 10th centuries — the quality is uneven but the best pieces are genuinely fine. The natural history section includes local fauna and mineral samples from the surrounding hills.
For a mid-sized Indian city museum it is reasonably well maintained. Admission is minimal. It is closed on Fridays and national holidays. The museum is most useful for context — spending an hour here before heading to Yercaud or exploring the surrounding district gives a better picture of what Salem and its hinterland have been through.