Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, Massachusetts

Address:161 Essex St.
Salem, Massachusetts
Tel: (978) 745-9500

Explore the oldest continuously operating museum in America, brimming with New England heritage. From the history of the Port of Salem, to local whaling, witch trials, and a real example of Chinese vernacular architecture, the Peabody-Essex Museum is both a visiting pleasure and a national treasure.

The Peabody Essex collections exceed 2.4 million works of both art and culture, and encompass 24 historic buildings, including National Historic Landmarks, National Register buildings, and Yin Yu Tang, the only complete Qing Dynasty house located outside China. The permanent collection includes artifacts from Salem's sea captains and merchants and the local and domestic artifacts of the Essex Institute. From American art and architecture to Asian, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime and Photography collections, some of the more popular works include portraits of area residents such as Charles Osgood's rendering of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

If visiting with children, be sure to stop by the art studios for hands-on art activities the whole family will enjoy, including architecture activities, films, demonstrations and more. Should you get hungry while here, enjoy a bite to eat at the Garden restaurant or the Atrium Café.

To get here by train, take the MBTA (Newburyport/Rockport line) from Boston's North Station or other points, to Salem station, a five-minute walk from the museum. Go up the steps to street level, cross Bridge Street, and walk down Washington Street. Go left on Essex St. to the end of the pedestrian mall. By bus from Boston, board the No. 450 or No. 455 bus at Haymarket Square.

Journey to a world of art and culture.