I’ve been to Salem, MA twice, and both times I’ve wanted to visit the Peabody-Essex museum and found there just wasn’t enough time. With Janet in Missouri and a beautiful day in front of me I knew this was the day to make it happen. I’ve been teaching online courses in Educational Technology at Southern New Hampshire University for teachers who are working on their masters degrees. This week’s lesson was about incorporating digital media into a lesson so I thought it appropriate to model by videoing myself instead of just posting a written summary.  Since I was heading to the North Shore (Salem is on the North Shore) I thought I’d stop in at the Singing Beach in Manchester and record my piece there. After all, it’s a beautiful backdrop and adds visual interest to an otherwise dull talking head.  It was a great day for recording and after four or five takes, I had a product that I was satisfied with posting.

After finishing the recording, I headed south down the Essex County scenic roadway through Beverly and then into Salem. The Peabody-Essex Museum is a collection of artifacts from all over the globe, but mostly Asian art as it was once known as the East India Marine Society. Large collections include art from China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries as well as a Native American gallery. A 19th century Chinese house is also available to tour, however I was too late to get a reservation for the day. A significant part of the museum is also dedicated to maritime art and American decorative art.

The highlight of the visit turned out to be a special exhibit called Wearable Art. These dresses looked somewhere between runway fashion and sci-fi horror movie material.  I may be quirky, but I enjoyed it.

Though the Peabody-Essex wasn’t quite what I expected, it was worth the trip and I’m glad to have finally been able to make a visit. I got back in my car and continued down the Essex County scenic roadway toward Boston through Marblehead and Lynne to the end in Revere. The view of the city was beautiful from here and I had to get a picture.  My head was full of new experiences and sights so I headed home.

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller