Reflect upon the global perspective that has made Salem such a distinctive city as we mark the 200th anniversary of East India Marine Hall.

Explore several hundred fascinating objects inside the historic hall, representing a sampling of the many collections that were displayed in the museum during its earliest years. This installation gives voice to early collectors, trading partners and museum visitors about these objects — with some accounts extracted from records in the museum’s vast archive — and shares perspectives from a range of people living today. These captivating stories and works that reflect local and global history, as well as the impact of maritime trade, recenter East India Marine Hall as the heart of the museum. From its inception, this space and the objects in it have elicited empathy, curiosity and wonder and transported visitors to places around the world.

This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Major support is provided by Mr. Ulf B. Heide, Tim and Joanie Ingraham, Alex Ingraham, and Sam Ingraham. Generous support has been provided by Haven Trust, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Hawkes, Mr. and Mrs. Howard B. Hodgson Jr., Angus and Leslie Littlejohn, Chip and Susan Robie, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart W. Pratt, Katie Huddleson and Alan Kraning, Edward A. Studzinski and Anne G. Studzinski, the Salem Marine Society, and Henry Birdseye Weil and Ann Uppington. Additional support has been provided by The Lee and Juliet Folger Fund, Jonathan B. Loring, Walter C. Meibaum III, Jean Verbridge, and Connie and Stan Grayson.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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