What began in 1799 as an organization for the captains who had sailed Cape Horn or Cape of Good Hope became the East India Marine Society. The society collection natural and “artificial curiosities,” which is what is today the collection in the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM). Visitors will see objects from around the world, including those collected in the early 1800s for the society.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a late night offered every third Thursday of the month. The museum is closed on Mondays, with the exception of Monday holidays, including Patriots’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day. Children 16 and younger receive free admission.