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                         October 4, 2002

New museum exhibit features 'mess moments'

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The West Point Museum unveiled a special exhibition Sept. 23 entitled Tabletops and Tradition: The Officers’ Mess and Cadet Mess at West Point.

The Cadet Mess does much to foster the spirit that West Point is the cadets’ home away from home. The daily rigors of cadet life throughout the past two hundred years have revolved around mealtime.

Included in this exhibition are the daily trappings used by cadets and officers at their respective messes.

Often, the daily meals created a ritual for cadets and formed traditions which long endure the passage of time. This exhibit explores the history of the Mess Halls at West Point and the artifacts which created the atmosphere for training officers for the United States Army. The exhibition has been curated by David M. Reel, Curator of the West Point Museum.

Objects in the exhibit include a rare 1852 Cadet Mess stone china plate manufactured by W.J Kerr of Philadelphia and requisitioned for the Mess Hall by Superintendent Robert E. Lee in 1852.

A remarkable soup tureen that belonged to Colonel Jonathan Williams, the first Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy and the nephew of Benjamin Franklin is on display along with several scarce tableware items made expressly for the use of officers in their respective mess.

Featured throughout the exhibit are historical photographs and artwork depicting the various structures that have served as mess halls at West Point.

The exhibition Tabletops and Tradition: The Officers Mess and Cadet Mess at West Point remains on view through June 8, 2003 in the Foyer Gallery located just within the main entrance to the Museum.

The West Point Museum is open at no charge to the public, seven days a week, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.