Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)

Opened in 1799 as the East India Marine Society, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem is one of the oldest continuously-operating museums in the United States. Its extensive collection, amassed from mariners’ global travels, makes it one of the region’s largest art institutions. The museum houses a diverse array of curios, historic homes, and gardens. Visitors can explore these varied exhibits, gaining insight into both local and international history through the carefully preserved artifacts and structures.