STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA
TO CHARGE ADMISSION FEE

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, flagship of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s (PHMC) Trails of History™, will join the ranks of many state museums across the country that charge general admission fees.  Due to recent budget considerations, this change is necessary to allow the Museum to continue to offer high quality exhibits and programs and maintain its current operating schedule.

Beginning July 1, 2009, The State Museum will begin charging admission fees of $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for youths and senior citizens.  The rate for tour and school groups will be $2.00. Children under 1 and members of the Pennsylvania Heritage Society, the PHMC’s membership organization, will be admitted free.  Special discounts and combination tickets are offered to keep a visit to The State Museum an affordable option for citizens and visitors to the Commonwealth. Complete pricing information is available online at www.statemuseumpa.org. Information on becoming a member of the Pennsylvania Heritage Society is available online at www.paheritage.org.

Although admission has been free since its inception, The State Museum has charged fees for programs such as Planetarium shows and Curiosity Connection, The State Museum’s successful kid-inspired world where children and grown-ups can discover, learn and play together.  Under the new pricing strategy, general admission to the museum would be included in those fees. 

Before developing their new pricing strategy, The State Museum researched admission policies at museums across the country including such institutions as The Minnesota History Center, Kansas Historical Center, and state museums in Texas, New York and New Jersey. Adult admission rates ranged from free to $8.00. An admission charge at The State Museum would also be consistent with the rest of the PHMC’s historic sites and museums all of which charge admission fees ranging from  $2.00 at the Pit Hole Visitors Center at Drake Well, Titusville to $12.00 at Landis Valley Farm Museum, Lancaster. 

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, located adjacent to the State Capitol in downtown Harrisburg is one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History® administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Individuals who need special assistance should call (717) 787-6778 or the Pennsylvania TDD relay service at (800) 654-5984. For more information on exhibitions, events and programs at The State Museum, click on www.statemuseumpa.org.

Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. ®2005 SMPA Terms of Use/Copyright