{"id":566,"date":"2021-04-12T19:04:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T23:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/slis.simmons.edu\/blogs\/lis476\/?p=566"},"modified":"2021-04-12T19:04:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T23:04:03","slug":"salem-witch-trial-exhibit-at-the-peabody-essex-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slis.simmons.edu\/blogs\/lis476\/?p=566","title":{"rendered":"Salem Witch Trial Exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Jenna Gillies<\/em><\/p>\n

Salem Massachusetts is famous for its witch trials, so it should not be a surprise that one of Peabody Essex Museum\u2019s (PEM) exhibitions focuses on this time period. The exhibition cannot be missed; it is the first one you walk by when you enter the building. You are greeted with a life-size poster that describes the exhibition\u2019s focus, themes (idealism, justice, and frailties of human nature), and why the trials still fascinate us.<\/p>\n

The exhibition starts with witch trial history before diving into the Salem trials. A wide variety of materials were used: disposition letters, census of arrests, warrants, and examinations. A map is used to illustrate Salem\u2019s size and where the accused and accusers lived. Stories of the accused and accusers were told throughout, helping me learn how easily one could be accused of witchcraft. There was also a section on the recent memorials, built to remember the victims. There was an \u201cIn Memory\u201d portion, listing the victims\u2019 names, hometown, birth, and death. It helps remind the viewer that these victims are just like us and deserved more. However, a quote at the end, moved me:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Deafness to the voices of others is the root of injustice. Silence in the presence of injustice is complicity. Persecution for invented crimes is a symptom of injustice. Memory of those taken by past injustice should remain with us to guide us in the future\u2019 _From the Salem Memorial Design Proposal by Maggie Smith and James Cutler 1991\u201d (Salem Witch Trials 1692<\/em>, 2020).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I thought this was very applicable to our world with its hostility towards those deemed different. \u00a0We are still dealing with injustice and if we do not act, history can be repeated. These trials should serve as a reminder for us to be kind, accepting and speak out for those who might not have a voice. Doing this will help stop injustice from spreading.<\/p>\n

PEM did a great job trying to reach their audience, both locally and out of state.\u00a0 Judging from the promotions\u2019 various locations it seemed that PEM was trying to reach a specific audience: locals, tourists, and history buffs. There were several promotions near the organization: flags along the organization\u2019s building and a floor to ceiling sign next to the entrance. The signs are in your face, making it hard to miss. A lot of tourists wander down Essex street to shop and eat, so it would be an easy way to draw people in. The promotions use the same painting from the exhibition, making it recognizable. However, the most strategically placed advertisement was the one near the Salem Witch Museum. It was located on a building opposite the Museum, deliberately placed so when a tourist walks out of the Museum, they will see it from the steps. It is also noticeable by car, for that is how it caught my eye. Once I went inside the institution, I walked by several promotions, covertly placed near gallery entrances. It was a constant reminder that the PEM was offering this exhibition right now. If these promotions were not there, other visitors might miss it altogether.<\/p>\n

The museum also caters to those who cannot visit. On the exhibit\u2019s webpage, you can click on a 360 degree tour video, which not only gives you the exhibition\u2019s layout, but also clickable red dots that show what objects are being displayed and their significance to the exhibition. There is also a video by co-curator, Dan Lipcan, who describes the exhibition in great detail. He stops at specific spots to explain the history and the objects one would see. It felt like a personal tour, in terms of the amount of information he presented. Seeing this webpage made me feel that PEM succeeded in reaching their non-local audience. A viewer of this page would not only learn about the exhibition, but the materials and why they were picked. It helps a person feel as if they are there. However, if you are not familiar to the website, it might be tricky to navigate. The exhibition is not on the homepage; it is devoted to other events.<\/p>\n

This exhibition was a powerful and moving one. While it shows the horrors that the accused went through, it also shows how the city of Salem and Massachusetts are trying to right the wrongs of the past through memorials and public pardons. This exhibition also reminds the viewer how quickly people can turn on each other and that anger and mistrust can lead to pain and suffering.<\/p>\n

Works Cited:<\/u><\/p>\n

Salem Witch Trials 1692<\/em> (2020) [Exhibition]. The Peabody Essex Museum. September 26, 2020 \u2013 April 4, 2021. 26<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Jenna Gillies Salem Massachusetts is famous for its witch trials, so it should not be a surprise that one of Peabody Essex Museum\u2019s (PEM) exhibitions focuses on this time period. The exhibition cannot be missed; it is the first one you walk by when you enter the building. You are greeted with a life-size … <\/p>\n

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