Special Exhibition-- Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA

My lovely and talented parents are looking to move to a beach town in Massachusetts once we children finish out high school, so during our New England college tour we swung by the Northern and Southern shore of the great state of Massachusetts. I've already shared some of our Southern Shore adventures and pictures but the Northern Shore had its own special charms that paid homage to the classic New England. The number one Massachusetts city north of Boston (which is it's own slice of heaven-- more on that later) is definitely the witch trial-Mecca, Salem.

An example of the lovely brick buildings found throughout Salem and New England. 

Parkside in Salem

We drove through Salem, hungrily looking for a breakfast place. Recommendation- stay at a hotel that serves breakfast when staying in Salem, witches aren't into breakfast. While we drove around searching for oatmeal and omelets we stumbled upon a gorgeous museum with a special exhibit surrounding the glorious Fabergé designer. It focused on his role in the Russian royal family up until the assassination of the Romanovs during the turbulent Russian Revolution. It was a great exhibit and although we didn't come to Salem to see an art museum, the Peabody Essex Museum is certainly a diamond in the rough that proved worthy of the lackluster Salem breakfast.

The PEM itself.

A bejeweled bowl.

Quintessential Faberge Egg

 

While my mother loved the Fabergé, I personally enjoyed a permanent, local exhibit entitled Maritime Art. It payed homage to the oceanic roots of Salem and the importance of the ocean in the local economy. Okay-- my description made it sound very boring, but the artwork was a beautiful display of local color and talent. 

"An inside look at life of women aboard sea-faring vessels"

This lovely painting was my favorite part of the exhibit.

What maritime exhibit would be complete without a lovely lady for the bow of the boat?

Along with the maritime art there was another exhibit dedicated to American artists, while I enjoyed the maritime artwork better, there were a few treasures to be found in this exhibit. 

This piece is entitled La Belle Epoque

Overall, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM for all you acronym lovers) is certainly worth the trip if you're hanging around Salem anytime in the future. Salem is a "hip" city in my sister's opinion. Playing up its notorious witch-trial history it attracts a wide variety of people, young families and older couples during the day but a younger, "hipper" crowd later in the day and into the night. It's definitely worth anytime spent there. Make sure you get a cone at the Salem Ice Screamery, some of the best ice cream I had on this college tour.

Inside the Peabody Essex Museum in central Salem.