The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) collection was originally held by separate institutions until the 1992 merger of the Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute. The resulting collection is showcased at PEM today. It features everything from modern and digital art to photography and multimedia installations.
You can pay the entry fee to explore the galleries, and pay a small additional fee to tour the must-see Yin Yu Tang house. Beyond the galleries, the property includes historic buildings spanning hundreds of years, including a Quaker meeting house. You can visit additional properties in the McIntire Historic District and Essex Block Neighborhood.
Conveniently-located just 16-miles (25.7-kilometers) north of Boston, you can find the museum on Essex Street in Salem. The most convenient way to reach the museum is to drive. From Boston, take Route 128 North to Exit 25A, and follow 114 East toward Salem. You can also avoid the drive if you take the high-speed ferry, or book a private day trip from Boston.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Mondays and select holidays. Plan to arrive during the week to avoid the typically-busier weekends. The museum hosts art-making workshops, events for kids, and tours of its historic properties. Check the calendar for up-to-date listings.
Make the most of your Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) visit by exploring the museum's architectural holdings beyond its immediate campus. You can stroll three blocks to the McIntire Historic District to visit the Ropes Mansion and garden, and see the late 18th-century Peirce-Nichols House. In the Essex Block Neighborhood, you find two additional National Historic Landmarks: the Gardner-Pingree House and the John Ward House. It's all a short walk from PEM.
