Peabody Essex Museum

As a VENUE: Host your event…

At the Peabody Essex Museum, we create extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences for your guests, surrounded by a backdrop of word-class art and stunning architecture. Located in the heart of vibrant downtown Salem, we hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating museum in the country.  From intimate corporate cocktail parties in our outdoor garden to luxurious weddings with dinner and dancing in our modern Atrium, we offer a variety of unique, customizable spaces for your next celebration. Six distinctive spaces are available:

• Main Atrium: First impressions are important, and your guests will be awed by the sight of our breathtaking Atrium designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Located in the heart of the museum, this light-filled space boasts an arched glass roof that soars dramatically overhead and offers generous space for dinner and dancing. Enjoy a lively wedding reception like no other with this stunning backdrop.
  • Capacity: Reception – 400 guests; Seated Dinner – 300 guests; Seated Dinner with Dancing – 270 guests

• East India Marine Hall: Built in 1824 by the founders of the museum, East India Marine Hall is a traditional New England-style ballroom and formally designated as a National Historic Landmark. This elegant space features arched floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows, two grand chandeliers, polished hardwood floors and maritime art.
  • Capacity: Reception – 300 guests; Seated Dinner – 150 guests; Seated Dinner with Dancing – 120 guests; Wedding Ceremony – 250 guests

• Garden Atrium: Designed with a stunning sky-high glass ceiling, this brand-new light-filled Atrium adds a dynamic element to your wedding experience. Combined with the outdoor garden, this venue space is perfect for cocktails, standing receptions and small dinners.
  • Capacity: Reception – 200 guests; Seated Dinner – 50 guests; Wedding Ceremony – 70 guests

• Forbes and Copeland Galleries: Located on the first level, these two galleries offer an intimate setting for your guests. Enjoy a seated or standing dinner reception in the larger H.A. Crosby Forbes Gallery, featuring a commissioned installation by artist Vanessa Platacis. Guests can mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Pamela Cunningham Copeland Gallery and explore the adjacent outdoor patio and garden.
  • Capacity: Reception – 120 guests; Seated Dinner – 70 guests

• Historic Ropes Mansion Garden: Located in Salem’s McIntire Historic District, the tranquil space blooms with plant life and is the perfect backdrop for your ceremony. The Ropes Mansion Garden is available for free micro ceremonies during regular hours when the property is open to the public, provided that it does not interfere with the experience of other visitors.

• Morse Auditorium: Our state-of-the-art theater has full audio and visual support for lectures and presentations.
  • Capacity: Stadium Seating – 185 guests
• Cotting-Smith Assembly House: This stunning building was constructed in 1782 to house social gatherings and performances, and once hosted George Washington. This historic property is ideal for small gatherings, with four furnished, museum-quality period rooms. Weather permitting, the garden and brick patio are part of the rental.

Support the Peabody Essex Museum… by simply booking your next special event here:

https://www.pem.org/visit/event-rentals

As a SHOP: Discover unique gifts…

The PEMshop offers an extensive selection of carefully curated merchandise that reflects the Peabody Essex Museum’s vision to celebrate outstanding artistic and cultural creativity.  Our inventory is forever fluid, changing with the Museum’s rotating exhibitions, growing collections, and public programming. You will find many PEM Exclusives–textiles, books, and décor–that are created and produced to coordinate with exhibitions, as well as other unique offerings which inspire artistic expression and appreciation.  Merchandise is catalogued within these collections: Books * Exhibition * Fashion * PEM Kids * Gift, and * Prints.

Support the Peabody Essex Museum… by simply purchasing your specialty merchandise here:

https://pemshop.com/

As an EATERY: Food for thought…

The Atrium Café – Enjoy light, informal dining at the Atrium Café in the Peabody Essex Museum‘s soaring Atrium.  The daily menu features soups, specialty sandwiches, salads and specials, along with several gluten-free and child-friendly options.

Support the Peabody Essex Museum… by simply dining here:

https://www.pem.org/visit/food-beverage

Be a DONOR: Show that you care…

The Peabody Essex Museum prides itself on being a new and different kind of museum — one that creates a richer experience for visitors by bringing art, architecture and culture together in sublime ways. We celebrate PEM’s unique nature by inviting visitors, and all who engage with PEM, to discover the connections that link artistic and cultural traditions, from Salem to the global community.  We invite you to deepen your own connection to PEM by becoming a steward of our dynamic community. All donors serve as ambassadors for PEM, broadening our reach and championing our mission. Whether you support us through our Annual Fund or as a philanthropic member of the East India Marine Associates, you enable PEM to thrive and ensure that our beloved museum can continue to serve as a space where so many can discover, innovate, share, and create new stories.  Your support is vital to making PEM the special place it is. Thank you for your wonderful gifts, and for being a part of the PEM family!

Membership:

Experience all that PEM has to offer — as a member. Enrich your spirit, engage your mind and stimulate your senses. Your membership support enables us to present superb exhibitions and share outstanding works of art, culture and creative expression with the world.  Gift memberships are encouraged.  Membership at specified levels are offered: Benefactor * Patron * Sponsor * Family * Dual * Individual, and * Senior.

Donations

Give to the Annual Fund:  Simply put, the PEM Annual Fund provides a stable source of income to help pay for the museum’s needs. These tax-deductible donations from members and friends are pooled to help in a range of ways, from buying after-school art supplies to preparing galleries for new exhibitions.

• Donations at customized amounts are requested. Memorial and Tribute Gifts are welcomed.
• Matched Gifts:  Many companies participate in matching-gift programs, enabling you to double your contribution. Check with your employer’s Human Resources Department to see if your gift can be matched and have an even greater impact.
• East India Marine Associates:  East India Marine Associates (EIMA) are PEM’s most generous philanthropists, and support the museum with essential, unrestricted contributions that enable the creation of groundbreaking exhibitions and unique, transformative experiences for all members of the PEM community.
• Legacy Giving:  The Peabody Essex Museum is grateful to those patrons and friends who consider making provisions for the museum in their estate plans. There are many ways a planned gift to the museum can be mutually beneficial to the donor and the institution.  We are happy to work with you, your family and your advisor to answer questions about plans and help explore scenarios that could provide income for life, favorable tax advantages and other opportunities for you and people you wish to provide for.
• Corporate Support:  The nation’s first global entrepreneurs founded the Peabody Essex Museum in 1799 with a bold vision to collect and share objects of art and culture from around the globe. Today, businesses involved at PEM help to continue a tradition of exploration and innovation.  There are many reasons to join the PEM community. We offer unique opportunities for you and your business to achieve valuable exposure, fulfill your philanthropic goals and connect to your passions, all while reaching PEM’s diverse audiences. We are delighted to collaborate with you to best meet the specific needs of your organization.

Generation PEM: Generation PEM (GenPEM) of the Peabody Essex Museum is a newly formed community of museum appreciators, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and collectors. We believe that creativity is everywhere and in everyone. Join us as our partner as we celebrate the power of creativity at PEM, in our lives, at work and beyond.

Support the Peabody Essex Museum… by simply joining, giving, or volunteering here: lalal

https://www.pem.org/join-give