Event Rentals
Information
The beautiful Peabody Essex Museum, in Salem, Massachusetts, is one of the region's most exquisite settings for your special events.
Whether you’re planning a corporate banquet or a gathering for close friends and family, the museum offers a variety of spaces that are perfectly suited for creating memorable occasions. Cocktail receptions, wedding ceremonies, formal parties and celebrations and photography are expertly planned and executed with the help of our experienced staff.
We look forward to showing you our galleries in person. Together we can plan an event that is truly special.
For detailed information on locations, pricing and related services, please contact the functions staff at 978-542-1615, or e-mail Natalia Laskaris functions@pem.org.
Museum Settings
Museum Spaces
Download a brochure showcasing the museum settings. (PDF Format, 800k)
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The Atrium
The breathtaking Atrium is the heart of the Peabody Essex Museum. An arched glass roof soars dramatically overhead, pulling the eye and the spirit upward. This central gathering place recalls the traditional New England village green.
Download more information (PDF Format) about the Atrium
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Bartlett and Copeland Galleries
PLEASE NOTE: The Bartlett and Copeland Galleries will be unavailable starting in 2013.
The Bartlett Gallery is the centerpiece in a suite of galleries dedicated to the museum’s Chinese export porcelain collection. The room has an elegant octagonal shape and is bounded on its eight sides by recessed, lighted display cases filled with decorative Chinese porcelain. The Copeland Gallery is included in the rental and is ideal for cocktails or hors d’oeuvres. Moongate Patio in the Asian Garden is a lovely outdoor adjunct to the galleries. This space can be used for business meetings, lectures, sit-down meals, weddings and receptions, day and evening.
Download more information (PDF Format) about the Bartlett and Copeland Galleries
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East India Marine Hall
This grand banquet hall was erected in 1824 for meetings of the East India Marine Society — entrepreneurs who sailed beyond Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. Distinguished by its many arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, polished wood floors and artwork, the hall has been host to a vast array of illustrious dignitaries beginning with John Quincy Adams, who participated in the building’s dedication ceremonies. East India Marine Hall is available for evening events only.
Download more information (PDF Format) about East India Marine Hall
FAQ
General Information
Yes, the Bartlett & Copeland Galleries are available for daytime events but please note they will not be available after March 1, 2012.
This space is also available for evening events. Our other venues, East India Marine Hall and the Atrium, are only available for evening events.
To learn more about these venues please review our brochure.
The rental fee includes the following:
- Exclusive use of the contracted areas during specified times.
- Peabody Essex Museum staff stationed to accept deliveries 2 hours prior to your event.
- Peabody Essex Museum security staff.
- Maintenance staff to set up and break down your event.
- Standard tables and chairs. Upgrade to a fruitwood chair is available for $4 per chair.
- A Peabody Essex Museum facilitator will be present at the time of your event to direct the caterer and other vendors as needed. The facilitator is present to insure harmony before and during the event and to protect the museum facility and collections. The facilitator does not assume the duties of a professional coordinator.
Yes, we do have a list of approved caterers with the Hawthorne Hotel Catering as our preferred caterer and they also operate the liquor license at the museum.
- Hawthorne Hotel Catering: 978-745-9500 x3156
- Vinwood Caterers 978-356-3273
- The Catered Affair: 781-982-9333
- William J. Creed & Sons, LTD.: 978-921-0100
- Jules Catering: 617-628-5977
- Capers Catering: 781-279-5100
No, a resource list is provided is to help you select other vendors such as a florist, photographer and musicians. The museum has guidelines for musicians and florists, which must be adhered to. In the case of florists or musicians who are not on our list, they must be in contact with the function rental office before you contract with them so that they understand the museum’s limitation regarding their services.
Yes, the museum does have air conditioning.
Yes, there is ample parking in a municipal lot directly on New Liberty Street directly across from our Essex Street entrance and the New Liberty Street parking garage one block over. Valet parking is not required.
To protect the museum facility and collections any type of flame is not permitted. Battery operated votives can be used.
Download more information (PDF Format) about our guidelines and requirements.
Weddings
All pricing is based on a five-hour reception – one hour for cocktails and four hours for dinner and dancing. Ceremony is a total of one hour – 30 minutes for your guests to arrive and 30 minutes for your ceremony.
As we are open to the public during the day, most of our events are hosted after 5 pm. Please note the suggested timing for each rental space. Start times can be later in the evening but not any earlier.
Reception Only
Cocktails in Atrium and Atrium Spine 6:30-7:30 pm
Dinner and dancing in East India Marine Hall 7:30-11:30 pm
Enjoy the feel of the outdoors with a view of the sky in the Atrium for cocktails followed by dinner in East India Marine Hall.
Guest count from 80 to 200 people.
Cost $5,500
Cocktails in East India Marine Hall 6-7 pm
Dinner and dancing in the Atrium 7-11 pm
Enjoy cocktails in East India Marine Hall followed by dinner and dancing in the spacious and dramatic Atrium with its soaring glass ceiling.
Guest count from 100 to 270 people.
Cost $8,500
Cocktails in Atrium Spine 6:30-7:30 pm
Dinner and dancing in the Atrium 7:30-11:30 pm
Enjoy cocktails with a view of the sky followed by dinner in the dramatic Atrium with its soaring glass ceiling.
Guest count from 100 to 270 people.
Cost $8,500
Ceremony and Reception
Ceremony in Atrium 6:30-7 pm guest arrival, 7 pm ceremony
Cocktails in Atrium Spine 7:30-8:30 pm
Dinner and dancing in East India Marine Hall 8:30 pm-12:30 am
Enjoy the feel of the outdoors with a view of the sky in the Atrium for your ceremony and cocktail hour followed by dinner in East India Marine Hall.
Guest count from 80 to 200 people.
Cost $6,500
Ceremony in East India Marine Hall 6-6:30 pm guest arrival, 6:30 pm ceremony
Cocktails in Atrium Spine 7-8 pm
Dinner and dancing in the Atrium 8 pm-midnight
Have your ceremony in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in East India Marine Hall followed by cocktails in the Atrium Spine area and dinner and dancing in PEM’s breathtaking Atrium, with its soaring glass ceiling.
Guest count from 100 to 270 people.
Cost $9,500
Upgrades
Chairs | $4 per fruitwood chair
Gallery access | Two adjacent galleries $700; Special exhibitions Price on request
Museum passes | General museum passes enabling guests to visit the museum on their own during normal business hours Price on request
Download information about our wedding packages.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a member of the Peabody Essex Museum to host an event. Membership information is available upon request.
