Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

What's On

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From Iran: A Visual Testimony

Azadeh Akhlaghi restages eleven pivotal deaths from Iran's history, 1908-1979, as meticulously researched tableaux shot on location - sixteen photographs plus archival material.

Now showing15 May – 21 Mar 2027$20

Permanent Collections

Resetting the Table: Food and Our Changing Tastes

A 1910 Harvard freshman dinner anchors an object-led history of American eating, from prehistoric oyster shells to coffee, sugar and rice, plus a life-sized early 1900s kitchen.

Permanent collection$20

Wiyohpiyata: Lakota Images of the Contested West

Warrior drawings from a Lakota ledger book recovered after the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, shown with historic objects and new work by co-curator Butch Thunder Hawk.

Permanent collection$20

All the World Is Here: Harvard's Peabody Museum and the Invention of American Anthropology

Over six hundred objects from Asia, Oceania and the Americas trace how the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and Frederic Ward Putnam shaped American anthropology.

Permanent collection$20

Change & Continuity: Hall of the North American Indian

Opened in 1990, this hall groups 19th- and 20th-century Indigenous objects by culture area. Items have since been removed under the museum's Ethical Stewardship and NAGPRA work.

Permanent collection$20

Encounters with the Americas

Classic Maya and Postclassic Aztec material sets up the story of 1492 and after, alongside contemporary Maya, Guna and Amazonian communities defending their land, language and autonomy.

Permanent collection$20

Nearby

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Harvard Museum of Natural History

Children1 min walk

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Harvard Art Museums

ArtFree5 min walk

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Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts

ArchitectureFree6 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 From Iran: A Visual Testimony, Resetting the Table: Food and Our Changing Tastes and Wiyohpiyata: Lakota Images of the Contested West.

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.