the Peabody Essex Museum is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States, renowned for its unparalleled collection of global art and cultural artifacts. From maritime treasures that reflect Salem’s storied seafaring heritage to striking modern installations that celebrate international creativity, the museum weaves together centuries of human expression. Visitors can journey through galleries dedicated to Asian export art, African sculpture, American painting, and much more.
For educators, the Peabody Essex Museum provides a multidisciplinary approach to art, history, and cultural studies. Lessons can revolve around cross-cultural influences, trade routes, and the ways design evolves under different cultural contexts. Students come face-to-face with everyday objects and exquisite artworks that reveal broader narratives of migration, innovation, and cultural exchange. Whether diving into Salem’s maritime past or exploring distant artistic traditions, the museum sparks curiosity about our interconnected world.