State Museum of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, located in Harrisburg at 300 North Street, is the official museum of the Commonwealth and serves as a comprehensive center for Pennsylvania’s cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Established in 1905 and housed in its current building since 1964, the museum is operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. It is designed to educate visitors about the diverse history and environment of Pennsylvania through engaging exhibits and programs.

Architecture and Location

The museum building itself is a modern facility situated in downtown Harrisburg, near the Pennsylvania State Capitol. It offers ample space for permanent and rotating exhibits, a planetarium, and interactive learning areas, all designed to accommodate visitors of all ages and interests.

Hours and Admission

Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Admission fees are modest, supporting access to a wide audience:

Adults: $7

Seniors (65+): $6

Children (1–11): $5

Children under 1: Free

Active duty military and immediate family: Free

Members of the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation and State Museum Affiliates: Free

Group tours and educational programs are available by reservation, with discounted rates.

Permanent Exhibits

The museum's permanent exhibits showcase Pennsylvania’s history, culture, and environment from prehistoric times to the modern era. Highlights include:

Memorial Hall: This grand hall features a towering bronze statue of William Penn, Pennsylvania’s founder, surrounded by murals that chronicle the state’s development through 1964. It serves as a solemn and inspiring entry point to the museum.

Pennsylvania Icons: This exhibit displays more than 350 artifacts representing Pennsylvania’s impact on American culture and history. Items include industrial tools, art, political memorabilia, and cultural objects.

A Place for All: Focused on the integration and civil rights struggles in Pennsylvania following World War II, this exhibit tells three powerful stories of social change and equality.

Village Square: A life-sized streetscape recreating a typical 19th-century Pennsylvania town, complete with shops and homes, providing an immersive experience into daily life from the past.

Objects of Valor: Dedicated to Pennsylvania’s role in the Civil War, featuring important artwork such as Peter F. Rothermel’s famous painting Battle of Gettysburg: Pickett’s Charge, along with artifacts from soldiers and battles.

Anthropology & Archaeology Gallery: This gallery explores Pennsylvania’s indigenous cultures, highlighting archaeological finds and Native American heritage.

Transportation & Industry: Showcasing the tools, machines, and vehicles that powered Pennsylvania’s industrial growth, this exhibit reveals the state’s role as an economic engine.

Hall of Geology: This hall explains the geological formation of the region and displays mineral specimens and fossils found in Pennsylvania.

Life Through Time: This exhibit features prehistoric plants and animals, including the Marshalls Creek Mastodon, an important fossil discovery.

Mammal Hall: Naturalistic dioramas illustrate Pennsylvania’s wildlife in their habitats, from forests to wetlands.

Ecology Hall: Focuses on Pennsylvania’s ecosystems and environmental conservation efforts, educating visitors about the state’s biodiversity.

Changing Exhibits

In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum hosts rotating exhibits that highlight specific themes or communities:

Bannered Heroes: Honors African American veterans from Pennsylvania and their contributions.

Home Improvements: Displays household items reflecting early 20th-century life.

Game Changers: Celebrates Pennsylvania women who made significant contributions to history.

Portraits of Identity: Focuses on the history and culture of the Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander community.

Horse2Auto: Examines the shift from horse-drawn transportation to automobiles within Pennsylvania.

Special Exhibit: Seeing Fallingwater – Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Architectural Masterpiece

Currently on display through January 5, 2025, this special exhibit highlights Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic house in southwestern Pennsylvania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a detailed model created for the Museum of Modern Art in 1984, illustrating Wright’s philosophy of "organic architecture" and the unique design of Fallingwater.

Planetarium & Curiosity Connection

Planetarium: The museum’s planetarium offers daily educational shows that explore astronomy and the solar system, providing an engaging experience for all ages. Admission to the planetarium is $3 extra per person.

Curiosity Connection: This interactive play area is designed for children aged five and under. It includes hands-on exhibits such as a farm truck, an assembly line, and a magical forest, promoting learning through play.

Visitor Services

Parking: Metered street parking is available around the museum, with additional parking garages located within walking distance in downtown Harrisburg.

Accessibility: The State Museum of Pennsylvania is fully accessible, providing accommodations for visitors with disabilities.

Educational Programs: The museum offers school tours, workshops, and special events that support Pennsylvania history and science education.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania offers an enriching, multidimensional experience that covers the state’s natural history, cultural heritage, and technological advancements. It is an ideal destination for families, students, historians, and anyone interested in understanding Pennsylvania’s role in the broader American story.