Exhibitions on view
Exhibition
The Salem Witch Trials 1692
Ongoing
Exhibition
Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums
On view through February 2, 2025
Exhibition
Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend
Opens September 28, 2024
September events
Exhibition Opening Celebration: Conjuring the Spirit World
Saturday, September 14 | 11:30 am–3 pm
Enjoy a panel discussion and special magic performance from the official magician of Salem.
Magic Performances
Saturday, September 21 & Saturday, September 28 | Noon–3 pm
See spellbinding magic shows from Salem magicians Evan Northrup and Anton Andresen inside our new exhibition Conjuring the Spirit World.
Opening Celebration: A Narwhal Carnival
Saturday, September 28 | 10 am–3 pm
Meet fantastical marionette puppets in the galleries, enjoy an ocean-themed PEM Pals and make art with us to celebrate the opening of Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend.
October events
Magic Performances
Saturdays in October | Noon–3 pm
See spellbinding magic shows from Salem magicians Evan Northrup and Anton Andresen inside our new exhibition Conjuring the Spirit World.
Shadow Cast & Drag Show
Friday, October 4 | 7:45–10:30 pm | 18+
Join the Hometown Queeros drag collective for a live show with a special film screening of X (2022, R-rated).
Conjuring the Spirit World After-Hours Tour
Friday, October 4 | 6–7:30 pm
Enjoy an exclusive tour of the exhibition with curator George Schwartz.
Salem Witch Trials 1692 After-Hours Tour
Friday, October 4 | 6–7:30 pm
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the installation with our curators. See authentic historic objects directly tied to people in Salem and nearby communities in the late 17th century.
Haunted Histories: Fatal Graces
Thursday, October 17 & Friday, October 18 | 6:00–10 pm
Our chilling tales of murder and mystery return! Encounter the restless spirits of New England’s dark history as they roam through PEM’s historic houses in this immersive imagining.
Virtual Create Night: Palm Reading
Thursday, October 24 | 7–8 pm
Learn the mystical, ancient art of palm reading with palmistry expert and artist Helene Childress.
Decorations at Ropes Mansion
Friday, October 25–Thursday, October 31 | 318 Essex Street
See the exterior of our historic home decorated in the style of the classic Salem-based film Hocus Pocus and take a selfie outside!
November events
Magic Performances
Select Saturdays in November | Noon–3 pm
See spellbinding magic shows from Salem magicians Evan Northrup and Anton Andresen inside our new exhibition Conjuring the Spirit World.
Family-friendly events
Drop-In Art Activity
Leaf Wall Hangings
Fridays in September | 3–4:30 pm
Explore color and pattern as you paint fallen leaves and create your own wall hanging. Recommended for ages 10+.
Drop-In Art Activity
Frankenstein Creature Collages
Fridays in October | 3–4:30 pm
Construct your own original creature by stitching together materials, prints and textures. Recommended for ages 10+.
Drop-In Art Activity
Decorative Potion Bottles
Weekends in October | 1–3 pm
Brew up a decorative potion in a bottle to get into the Halloween spirit. Recommended for ages 4+.
Event
Georgia Made This: 6th Annual Coin Hunt
Weekends in October & Halloween day
Join the search for hidden gold coins designed by Salem teen Georgia Wrenn. Clues to the hiding spots will be released on PEM’s Instagram @peabodyessex.
Walking Tours
Walking Tour
Brick by Brick: Salem's Hidden Architectural Stories
Follow our expert guides for an in-depth look at architecture across downtown Salem, from a millionaire’s mansion to a working-class sailor’s house.
Walking Tour
Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders and Literary Legends
Follow our expert guides into the dark side of Salem history and walk through landmarks of 1692, plus the site of a gruesome murder that made headlines in 1830 and inspired Edgar Allan Poe.
Tour
PEM in an Hour
Hit the highlights of PEM’s globetrotting collection. Available in English and Spanish.
Tour
Ropes Mansion
During weekends through October, tour this iconic historic property. (Fun fact: Did you know the exterior was Allison’s house in Hocus Pocus?).
Tour
Witch Trials Walk
Journey through the museum and to sites around Salem to hear compelling stories about the witch trials from PEM curators and local experts.
Keep exploring
Blog
Behind the scenes of our collection highlights tour
5 Min read
Press Release
New PEM exhibition explores our enduring fascination with the supernatural
