Come On In and Explore the World

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversation, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Executive Director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum, provides an overview of how the museum came into being and what is currently going on at the museum. Through its dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, the Peabody Essex Museum invites visitors to explore the interconnectedness of art, culture, and history from around the world.

Nestled in the historic seaport of Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) stands as one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States. Its origins trace back to 1799 with the founding of the East India Marine Society by Salem-based sea captains who collected and shared artifacts from their global voyages. Over the centuries, PEM has evolved through mergers and expansions, notably the 1992 unification of the Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute. Today, PEM houses a vast and diverse collection of over 1.3 million works, encompassing American, Asian, African, Native American, and Oceanic art, as well as maritime artifacts and historic architecture.

PEM's campus is a harmonious blend of the old and the new, featuring 22 historic buildings—including the East India Marine Hall, a National Historic Landmark—and modern galleries designed by renowned architects. Among its unique offerings is the Yin Yu Tang House, a 200-year-old Chinese home transplanted from Anhui Province and reassembled on-site, providing visitors with an immersive cultural experience.

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