Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (must see)

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), dating back to the late 18th century, 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.