Group Guided Experiences

Participate in hands-on classes and gallery tours.

Please Take Note:

  • Limited to 39 participants and chaperones total – with 1 teacher required (unless otherwise stated)
  • Each Experience is 45 minutes.
  • The fee is $75 entrance fee plus the museum admission.

Available Experiences

All Ages

Museum Highlights Tour

Museum Highlights Tour

Pennsylvania is the only state named for both its people and the place, “Penn’s Woods”. Discover how this relationship of people and place shows throughout the history, art, and science of the Commonwealth with a tour of featured exhibits on each floor. This tour can be modified for different grade levels and provides an opportunity to answer visitors questions about the exhibits.

Ages 2 – Pre-K

Group Storytime

Group Storytime

Books/topics vary by season. Please ask your reservationist for details.

Grades 3 – 5

**Pennsylvania Habitats: Art and Nature in Mammal Hall Tour

Pennsylvania Habitats:
Art and Nature in Mammal Hall Tour

All living things have basic needs for survival. By observing, comparing, and contrasting the habitats depicted in the Mammal Hall dioramas, you will explore the basic needs for survival depicted in each diorama and discover how change, both natural and manmade, can affect the environment.

Pennsylvania History: The Objects Tell the Story

Pennsylvania History:
The Objects Tell the Story

Primary and secondary objects and documents are valuable resources, many tell the story of Pennsylvania. Hear the stories of the objects on display on the First Floor at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Working in small groups, students will examine hands-on objects to discover the object’s story.

**Pennsylvania’s Industrial Towns: T.M. Fowler Birds-Eye Views

Pennsylvania Industrial Towns:
T.M. Fowler Birds-Eye Views

Explore Pennsylvania’s Industries of the turn of the 19th century and its most dramatic development. Identify the human characteristics of place and region as we compare contemporary Fowler’s birds-eye views of Pennsylvania’s towns and cities with objects from the Transportation and Industry Gallery.

Physical Geography of Pennsylvania

Physical Geography of Pennsylvania

Learn about what geography is and how we use geography. Studying Pennsylvania’s landforms and waterways will provide an understanding of how Pennsylvania’s topography has shaped the state. Participants will compete in a series of fun, geographical challenges. The lesson is designed for students who have a basic understanding of the tools of geography and how to use them.

Skulls and What They Tell

Skulls and What They Tell

Adaptations help animals to survive by adjusting to changes in their environment. Participants will work in small groups to observe, compare, and contrast the skulls of various mammals found in Pennsylvania. They will determine the unique physical characteristics of each mammal, predict what it eats, discover its role in the food chain, and identify each mammal.

Grade 6 and Up

A Place for All Exhibit Tour

A Place for All Exhibit Tour

Max – 25 Participants
Learn about the history of three integration efforts in Pennsylvania after World War II that testifies to the courage of those who sought to end racial segregation in all of its forms. This tour provides an opportunity to answer questions and discuss the exhibit on a deeper level.

**Program also available virtually.