Explore 200 Years of American Art at the PEM

SPONSORED CONTENT | Written by Destination Salem

Looking for one of the best things to do in Salem, MA this summer? Make time for Making History: 200 Years of American Art, on view at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) through September 21, 2025. 

Organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), the show features 85 original works, all created by American artists. PEM’s curators have reimagined the exhibition with local relevance and immersive design touches that bring the story to life for Salem visitors.

As curator Jeffrey Richmond-Moll explains, “The title Making History asks: What is the role of art-making in how we make sense of America’s past, our present, and how we imagine our future?” That guiding question shapes every element of the exhibition.

A Thoughtful Journey Through American Art

In the opening gallery, visitors encounter a salon-style display inspired by 19th-century exhibitions. This historical nod sets the tone for a deeper experience, revealing how early American institutions, including PEM’s own East India Marine Society, used art to educate, inspire, and engage the public.

Artworks to Discover at PEM

Every work in Making History contributes to a broader conversation about American identity, but several pieces offer particularly memorable moments:

• Charles Willson Peale’s The Artist in His Museum depicts the artist lifting a curtain to reveal a space filled with portraits and natural specimens. The painting reflects the 19th-century effort to use both art and science as tools for public education — a theme that connects to PEM’s own history through the East India Marine Society, whose members sought to help visitors better understand the wider world.

• Patience Wright’s sculpture of George Washington, made of wax, draws a direct line to Salem’s history. Her son’s print of this work inspired Reverend William Bentley and sculptor Samuel McIntire, whose Washington bust still graces Salem Common. Wright, an early American artist and rumored Revolutionary War spy, is a powerful reminder of the role women played in shaping early American art and identity.

• Portraits of Ruth St. Denis and Mrs. Chase, placed near Gilbert Stuart’s iconic George Washington, reframe the concept of American celebrity. St. Denis was a dancer whose performance portrait represents a shift from political power to cultural influence in American art.

• Marianna Sloan’s “A Rocky Beach”, painted after visiting Rockport, captures the rugged coastline familiar to NorthShore visitors. It’s one of several pieces in the final gallery that reflect local landscapes and the artistic communities of Rockport and Gloucester.

A Space for Reflection

The exhibition concludes with an interactive gallery that invites visitors to reflect on their own connections to history. Prompted by the question “Can you picture a time, place, or person that helped you understand the ways your past meets your present?”, guests can share personal responses through written notes or sketches and display them on the gallery walls.

This closing experience reinforces the exhibition’s central theme: that history is not fixed — it’s shaped by memory, perspective, and participation. As curator Jeffrey Richmond-Moll shared, “Visitors can hang their own reflections on the museum walls, contributing to a story that doesn’t end in 1976. It’s ongoing.”

Plan Your Visit to PEM in Salem, MA

Just steps from Salem’s historic waterfront, the Peabody Essex Museum blends bold exhibitions with deep local roots. Visitors can pair their exhibition experience with a walk to Salem Common, lunch downtown, or a harbor cruise. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a cultural weekend, or a solo day trip, Making History adds meaningful depth to any Salem itinerary. Plan your visit at PEM.org.