Exhibition
Salem Gets Dressed
August 1, 2026–January 2, 2028
Today's hours:
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Explore works that honor Salem's quadricentennial and reflect the city's rich history through the lenses of community, commerce and self-fashioning.
Gallery view of Salem Gets Dressed. Photo by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.
Drawn from PEM's nationally significant collection, this presentation in the Fashion & Design gallery features works associated with New England figures and families, illustrating a sense of pride in a city defined by an intense and varied history, a profound maritime heritage and vibrant communities and culture. Through more than 80 garments and ensembles dating from the early 1700s to the present — including costumes, uniforms, wedding attire, and enduring everyday wear — the installation traces how generations of residents have expressed identity, status and belonging through what they made and wore.
As Salem transformed from a thriving port to a retail hub and, later, a center for cultural tourism, fashion reflected and helped define its changing identity. Garments on view reveal Quaker traditions, connections to abolitionist histories, the influence of local businesses along Essex Street and the lived experiences of families who built their lives here. Together, they highlight Salem's long-standing diversity and the ways clothing can carry memories across generations.
Fashion also reimagines history. From commemorative costumes to contemporary designs inspired by Salem's past, these works show how each generation interprets and reshapes the stories it inherits, inviting us to consider how we express ourselves and what we choose to carry forward.
This installation is part of Salem 400+ celebrations. Explore all of PEM's Salem 400+ activities at pem.org/salem400.
Share your impressions on social media using #FashionInSalem
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