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Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

HistoryArchaeologyClosed · Opens 11amFrom $20Harvard (MBTA Red Line)

Founded in 1866, the Peabody is one of the oldest anthropology museums in the world, caring for more than 1.2 million objects with exceptional depth in the archaeology and ethnography of the Americas — casts of Maya monuments from Copán, Plains ledger drawings, Northwest Coast carving, plus major African and Oceanic holdings. Galleries run from the long-standing Hall of the North American Indian and Encounters with the Americas to changing shows such as Azadeh Akhlaghi's staged photographs of twentieth-century Iran. One ticket admits you to the neighbouring Harvard Museum of Natural History as well, and the two buildings connect internally. Under its Ethical Stewardship and NAGPRA commitments the museum is reinstalling galleries on an ongoing basis, so visitors will find some cases empty and some objects removed from display or returned to descendant communities.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Nearest station: Harvard (MBTA Red Line)

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Hours

Late opening at 11am until 10 September, 11:00–17:00

Mon09:00–17:00
Tue09:00–17:00
Wed09:00–17:00
ThuToday09:00–17:00
Fri09:00–17:00
Sat09:00–17:00
Sun09:00–17:00

Admission

From $20

Seniors 65+ $18; non-Harvard students and youth 3-18 $15; under 3, members and Harvard ID holders (+1 guest) free. Free for Massachusetts residents Sundays 9am-12pm and Wednesdays 3-5pm, for Massachusetts K-12 teachers, EBT/WIC cardholders (up to 5 guests) and active-duty US military and families; $3 off for US veterans. Admission also covers the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Tickets are sold only at the admissions desk and museum shop - there is no online booking.

Nearby

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Children1 min walk

Harvard Art Museums

ArtFree5 min walk

Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts

ArchitectureFree6 min walk

MIT Museum

Design35 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology cost?
Standard adult admission to Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology is $20. Seniors 65+ $18; non-Harvard students and youth 3-18 $15; under 3, members and Harvard ID holders (+1 guest) free. Free for Massachusetts residents Sundays 9am-12pm and Wednesdays 3-5pm, for Massachusetts K-12 teachers, EBT/WIC cardholders (up to 5 guests) and active-duty US military and families; $3 off for US veterans. Admission also covers the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Tickets are sold only at the admissions desk and museum shop - there is no online booking.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology?
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology is open Open daily 9am-5pm, and the ticket also covers the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Closed 25-27 November 2026, 24-27 December 2026 and 1 January 2027. Late 11am openings on 10 September and 17 November 2026 and 25 February and 25 May 2027; early 3pm close on 12 January 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology?
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology is located at 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA, in the Harvard Square, Cambridge area of Boston. The nearest station is Harvard (MBTA Red Line).
What can I see at Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology?
One of the world's oldest anthropology museums: Maya monuments, Lakota ledger art and 1.2 million objects behind Harvard brick. Current highlights include All the World Is Here: Harvard's Peabody Museum and the Invention of American Anthropology, Change & Continuity: Hall of the North American Indian, Encounters with the Americas.
Do I need to book Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Daderot, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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