Cotting Smith Assembly House

Did you know that the Peabody Essex Museum was recently certified as an arboretum? The museum campus stretches across downtown Salem, with rare 100-year-old plantings tucked away behind its historic houses. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore three of the museum’s urban gardens with Peabody Essex Museum Head Gardener Robin Pydynkowski and Horticulturist Katelyn Sponholtz.

On this walking tour, participants will start by exploring a contemporary garden of perennials and annuals behind the Cotting–Smith Assembly House. Then, visit an 18th-century captain’s garden behind the Pierce–Nichols House, and end at the Colonial Revival garden at Ropes Mansion on Essex Street. This tour is outdoors and includes roughly 0.5 miles of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Public parking is not available near the Cotting–Smith Assembly House. Please plan accordingly.

In the event of inclement weather, this event will take place on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 10–11 am. Registrants will receive an email if the event needs to be rescheduled.

The program is part of the Trails and Sails event series hosted across the Essex National Heritage Area. Meet at the Cotting–Smith Assembly House, 138 Federal Street, Salem Reserve tickets at https://www.pem.org/events/trails-and-sails-pem-garden-landscapes-tour?date=09-19-2024