A vessel to the past: 18th century rum jug loaned to Museum of Old Newbury

NEWBURYPORT — Direct from Arnold Expedition Historical Society headquarters in central Maine comes an 18th century earthenware rum jug that represents Newburyport’s sole link to the famed expedition led by once-hero, now-traitor Benedict Arnold.

The jug, which was discovered in pieces and glued back together back in 1974, was picked up by Museum of Old Newbury Director Bethany Groff Dorau on Wednesday and brought to the museum’s Cushing House off High Street on Thursday for a closer look.