Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (must see)
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), dating back to the late 18th century, PEM is a captivating institution that seamlessly blends art, heritage, and a fascination with the wider world.
The origins of PEM trace back to the East India Marine Society, established in 1799 by a group of intrepid Salem-based captains and supercargoes. These visionary individuals were driven by a charter that required them to collect "natural and artificial curiosities" from distant lands beyond the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn. Equally remarkable was their mandate to personally circumnavigate the globe, sharing their navigational discoveries with fellow society members to enhance their chances of safe return. This extraordinary commitment to exploration and knowledge gathering laid the foundation for what would become the Peabody Essex Museum.
A pivotal moment in PEM's history occurred in the 1820s when the East India Marine Society erected the magnificent East India Marine Hall, which stands today as a National Historic Landmark embedded within the museum's expansive facilities. This historic hall served as a showcase for the society's eclectic collection, reflecting the members' insatiable curiosity and their deep connections to the wider world.
In 1867, the Peabody Academy of Science (later renamed the Peabody Museum of Salem) acquired both the collection and the East India Marine Hall building, thus continuing the legacy of exploration and cultural preservation. The merger of these institutions in 1992 marked the birth of the Peabody Essex Museum.
Today, the Peabody Essex Museum houses an astonishingly diverse array of artifacts and artworks, with a total collection numbering around 1.3 million pieces. One of its most celebrated treasures is its significant collection of Asian art, making it a pivotal hub for the appreciation of Eastern aesthetics in the United States.
Beyond its extensive collections, PEM also boasts a collection of twenty-two historic buildings, each with its own unique story to tell. These structures add depth and dimension to the visitor experience, providing insights into the history and culture of the region.
The origins of PEM trace back to the East India Marine Society, established in 1799 by a group of intrepid Salem-based captains and supercargoes. These visionary individuals were driven by a charter that required them to collect "natural and artificial curiosities" from distant lands beyond the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn. Equally remarkable was their mandate to personally circumnavigate the globe, sharing their navigational discoveries with fellow society members to enhance their chances of safe return. This extraordinary commitment to exploration and knowledge gathering laid the foundation for what would become the Peabody Essex Museum.
A pivotal moment in PEM's history occurred in the 1820s when the East India Marine Society erected the magnificent East India Marine Hall, which stands today as a National Historic Landmark embedded within the museum's expansive facilities. This historic hall served as a showcase for the society's eclectic collection, reflecting the members' insatiable curiosity and their deep connections to the wider world.
In 1867, the Peabody Academy of Science (later renamed the Peabody Museum of Salem) acquired both the collection and the East India Marine Hall building, thus continuing the legacy of exploration and cultural preservation. The merger of these institutions in 1992 marked the birth of the Peabody Essex Museum.
Today, the Peabody Essex Museum houses an astonishingly diverse array of artifacts and artworks, with a total collection numbering around 1.3 million pieces. One of its most celebrated treasures is its significant collection of Asian art, making it a pivotal hub for the appreciation of Eastern aesthetics in the United States.
Beyond its extensive collections, PEM also boasts a collection of twenty-two historic buildings, each with its own unique story to tell. These structures add depth and dimension to the visitor experience, providing insights into the history and culture of the region.
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Peabody Essex Museum on Map
Sight Name: Peabody Essex Museum
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salem, Massachusetts
Create Your Own Walk in Salem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salem Introduction Walking Tour
While first-time visitors to Salem won't want to miss the city's plethora of witch-themed attractions 鈥� the Witch House and Salem Witch Trials Memorial are two of the most popular 鈥� there is more to this mysterious city than just witchcraft. Salem boasts everything from spectacular 17th-century architecture to tranquil beaches and world-class art museums. Check out Salem's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Salem's Historical Homes Walking Tour
There鈥檚 no shortage of historic homes in Salem, considering that it鈥檚 one of the oldest cities in the United States. Even if you鈥檙e not really into history, you can appreciate the architectural style of the times. Some of these historic houses are open to the public as museums while others are privately owned. ***PH***
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Salem Maritime National Historic Site Tour
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a National Historic Site consisting of 12 historic structures, one replica tall-ship, and about 9 acres (36,000 m2) of land along the waterfront of Salem Harbor in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Salem Maritime is the first National Historic Site established in the United States (March 17, 1938).[1] It interprets the Triangle Trade during the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles