The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) opened in 1799 as the East India Marine Society. It is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States and was founded by Salem sea captains who wanted to establish a collection of global treasures.

The Peabody Essex Museum has a large Oceanic art collection, and features one of three historic Heiau Ku carvings, the other two are in the British Museum in London and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. They also have some interesting pop culture exhibits, including a Gill-man prop head from The Revenge of the Creature, Universal Pictures (1955). A stunt man would wear this full-head latex mask made by Bud Westmore underwater while filming. They tend to rotate their exhibits, so call ahead if you want to check on what is available for viewing.