PEM in an Hour
11. Punch bowl
Look under the portrait of Captain Cook to find a piece that dates back to the founding of our museum. This punch bowl is important to the history of PEM. In 1799, ship captains Benjamin Hodges, Jonathan Lambert and 20 other Salem master mariners established the East India Marine Society to support disabled seamen, widows and families. They also sought to promote knowledge of navigation and international trade and to form a museum of natural and artificial curiosities acquired during their voyages around the world. This punch bowl was not just decorative, it was functional, offering up an exciting beverage for celebrations. Punch recipes notably included fruits and ingredients not readily found in early America. This was a treat indeed! Cheers to those who helped found the amazing museum that PEM is today! This bowl will soon be part of a new installation in East India Marine Hall, the oldest part of the museum. You can hear more about the hall in a recent PEM Walks audio piece that unlocks the backstory to our historic properties.
Now, exit this gallery and make a right, going down to the second set of glass doors. Follow signs to the Art and Nature Center.