10 Oldest Museums in the U.S.

Museums have long been places of curiosity and wonder, housing objects that tell the stories of civilizations past. The idea of collecting and displaying artifacts for public study dates back centuries. Consider the Mouseion of Alexandria, an ancient Greek institution devoted to scholarship, or the cabinets of curiosities amassed by European aristocrats in the 16th and 17th centuries. But it was the British Museum, founded in 1753, that first introduced the concept of a museum as a public institution rather than a private collection. From there, the idea spread, leading to the great museums of Paris, Berlin, and, eventually, the United States.

In America, museums quickly turned from places to store treasures to cultural touchstones, shaping the nation’s understanding of its past and present. From early historical societies to grand art collections, these institutions helped define America’s artistic, scientific, and historical identity. Here are the ten oldest museums in the United States, each with its own distinct story to tell.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art, founded in 1869, was one of the first major public art museums in the United States. Established by William Wilson Corcoran, a banker and philanthropist, the museum was dedicated to American art, European masterpieces, and decorative arts.

For more than a century, the Corcoran stood as a cultural landmark in Washington, D.C., housed in a grand Beaux-Arts building near the White House. It was known for its progressive exhibitions, supporting contemporary artists before they were widely recognized. The museum showcased works by John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O’Keeffe, making it an essential destination for art lovers.

Although the institution faced financial difficulties, its legacy continues. In 2014, the Corcoran’s collection was absorbed by the National Gallery of Art, ensuring that its historic pieces remain available to the public. While the museum no longer exists as an independent entity, its spirit lives on through its carefully preserved artworks in the heart of the nation’s capital.

9. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (1866) – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Tucked within Harvard University, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology has been a center for the study of human culture since 1866. One of the oldest museums in the U.S. dedicated to anthropology, it houses an extraordinary collection of Indigenous artifacts, Mesoamerican treasures, and cultural materials from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Walking through its galleries, visitors can see Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions, intricate Native American beadwork, and early photographs documenting Indigenous communities. One of its standout features is the Copán Stelae, an exact plaster cast of an ancient Mayan monument.

Beyond the exhibits, the Peabody Museum is a hub for archaeological and anthropological research, ensuring that the past is not only preserved but continuously studied.

Established in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., stands as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Its inception is rooted in the bequest of British scientist James Smithson, who left his estate to the United States to create an institution dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

Today, the Smithsonian encompasses 21 museums and the National Zoo, with 17 museums located in the Washington, D.C., area, two in New York City, and two more in development. These institutions collectively house over 154 million artifacts, artworks, and specimens, offering insights into art, history, culture, science, and technology.

Visitors can explore a diverse array of exhibits, from the Hope Diamond at the National Museum of Natural History to the Wright brothers’ original 1903 Flyer at the National Air and Space Museum. Admission to most Smithsonian museums is free, providing accessible educational experiences to the public.

The Smithsonian is also a leading research institution, conducting studies in various fields, including astrophysics, environmental science, and art conservation.

7. Wadsworth Atheneum (1844) – Hartford, Connecticut

The Wadsworth Atheneum, founded in 1844, is no ordinary art museum. It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, yet its spirit is anything but old-fashioned. Located in Hartford, Connecticut, the museum is a striking blend of Gothic Revival architecture and bold artistic ambition.

Inside, its collection spans centuries. European masterpieces, Hudson River School landscapes, contemporary art, and even Surrealist works that once shocked audiences. It was here that America saw its first major exhibitions of Salvador Dalí and Picasso. The museum has also championed modern art before it was fashionable, acquiring pieces that many institutions once overlooked.

Founded in 1824, Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating public museum in the United States. It was established to preserve and share the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, their settlement, and their interactions with the Wampanoag people.

The museum’s collection includes some of the earliest surviving artifacts from colonial America. Visitors can see personal items owned by Pilgrims, including the Bible of Governor William Bradford, a cradle used by Peregrine White, and swords, furniture, and household goods brought over on the Mayflower. The museum also presents an honest look at the challenges of early colonial life, as well as the impact of European settlement on Indigenous communities. Unlike larger museums, Pilgrim Hall focuses on firsthand historical accounts and original objects, offering a direct connection to the past.

5. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1805) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stepping into the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is like stepping into a living piece of art history. Established in 1805, it is the first art museum and school in the United States, a place where generations of artists have honed their craft. The very walls of its Victorian Gothic landmark building, designed by Frank Furness and George Hewitt, seem to whisper the names of those who passed through. Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Henry Ossawa Tanner: artists who shaped the course of American art.

The museum’s collection is a testament to this legacy. It bridges past and present, housing Hudson River School landscapes, Ashcan School realism, and contemporary experimental works. Beyond the paintings and sculptures, PAFA remains a hub of artistic innovation, where students still create in studios that breathe with history.

Established in 1804, the New York Historical stands as New York’s inaugural museum, dedicated to preserving and presenting over four centuries of American history. Situated at 170 Central Park West, this esteemed institution offers a comprehensive exploration of the nation’s past through meticulously curated exhibitions and an extensive collection of artifacts.

The museum’s landmark building, completed in 1908 and designed by the architectural firm York & Sawyer, exemplifies the Roman Eclectic style. In 1938, architects Walker & Gillette expanded the structure, seamlessly integrating new pavilions that enhanced its grandeur. Recognized as a New York City designated landmark, the edifice reflects the city’s rich architectural heritage.

Among its highlights, the Gallery of Tiffany Lamps showcases the artistry of Louis Comfort Tiffany, while the Oval Office recreation offers an immersive look at presidential history. The DiMenna Children’s History Museum provides interactive experiences for younger audiences. The museum also hosts thought-provoking exhibitions, including an exploration of women’s fashion through history and the evolving role of pets in urban life.

3. Peabody Essex Museum (1799) – Salem, Massachusetts

Tucked away in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) has been welcoming curious minds since 1799, and one of the best museums to visit in Massachusetts. What started as a collection of treasures brought home by sea captains has grown into one of the country’s most fascinating museums, offering a little something for everyone.

Step inside, and you’ll find a mix of history, art, and culture woven together in a way that feels both grand and personal. One of the museum’s most breathtaking gems is Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese home that was carefully transported from China and rebuilt here, brick by brick. Walk through its doors, and it’s like stepping into another time and place.

Of course, being in Salem, the museum also takes a deep dive into the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, providing a powerful look at one of history’s most infamous chapters. But there’s more: maritime artifacts, contemporary art, rotating exhibits that always surprise, and quiet corners where you can soak it all in.

Inside a stately brick building in Boston’s Back Bay, the Massachusetts Historical Society, founded in 1791, quietly guards America’s earliest memories. Unlike grand museums filled with bustling galleries, this scholarly institution invites visitors into a more intimate exploration, one centered around handwritten letters, faded manuscripts, and rare documents. Here, history feels personal, tangible.

Step into the reading rooms, and you might pore over original writings from Abigail and John Adams or browse the delicate drafts penned by Thomas Jefferson. Letters, diaries, and personal papers breathe life into figures who built the nation, providing glimpses into private thoughts and historic decisions. There’s a warmth in encountering history through handwritten words, preserved by the careful hands of archivists.

1. Charleston Museum (1773) – Charleston, South Carolina

Established in 1773, the Charleston Museum proudly stands as America’s oldest museum, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
When visiting, you can explore a variety of permanent exhibits, including the Lowcountry History Hall, which delves into the lives of Native Americans, colonists, and enslaved people who shaped the region’s agricultural heritage. The Armory showcases historic weaponry from 1750 to the twentieth century, while Becoming Americans: Charleston in the Revolution highlights the city’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. Additionally, the Bunting Natural History Gallery offers an extensive collection of fossils and specimens.

The museum also manages two historic houses: the Heyward-Washington House, once home to Declaration of Independence signer Thomas Heyward Jr., and the Joseph Manigault House, a Federal-style residence reflecting early 19th-century elegance.