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Nature Lab: Great-Horned Owl and the Red-Tailed Hawk
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab at 11:30 AM on Thursday, September 28 to take a closer look at these two predators. Hands-on objects will be available for you to explore. This program in include with general admission to the Museum.
Find out more »Stories Along the Pennsylvania Turnpike
This event is included with General Admission.
Find out more »StoryTime October 2017
Join us in Ecology Hall to learn about squirrels. Enjoy our story Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop by Alexina B. White. Sing a silly squirrel song and make a squirrel treat to take home. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »National Fossil Day
Join us in celebrating National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 11 in the Paleontology Gallery. This year’s theme is “Who's that Lurking in the Paleozoic?” 11:30 AM - 12:00 Noon - Nature Lab: Fossil Making for ages 3 to 5 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM - Join State Museum Paleontologist Steve Jasinski to discuss the Paleozoic Era This event is included with General Admission to the Museum. National Fossil Day is hosted by the National Park Service and the American Geosciences…
Find out more »Nature Lab: Fossil Making for ages 3 to 5
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab to create your own fossil impression. Learn about the Dunkleosteus and how fossils are made! This program is specifically designed for ages 3 - 5 and is include with your general admission.
Find out more »Members Only Event
Members are invited to join us prior to the Night of the Great Pumpkin. Doors opening only to Members at 5:30 PM. Members will enjoy a private concert with New York children’s musician Louie Miranda at 5:40 PM. Louie has been dazzling the hearts of children, parents and teachers everywhere he goes. His music features original and traditional songs with an educational and interactive component. Louie integrates his high energy, passion, rhythms and melodies into every concert. Come experience a fantastic…
Find out more »Night of the Great Pumpkin
Join The State Museum of Pennsylvania for Night of the Great Pumpkin on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This family-friendly, Halloween celebration provides opportunities to participate in educational activities, Halloween crafts, games, and a treat bag. New York children’s musician Louie Miranda will also be performing in Memorial Hall. Louie has been dazzling the hearts of children, parents and teachers everywhere he goes. His music features original and traditional songs with an educational and interactive…
Find out more »Learn at Lunchtime: Constellations
Join us in the Planetarium Friday, October 20 at 12:15 PM for the exciting new show Constellations. What are constellations? How were they created? These are just two of the questions covered about these images in the night sky. Learn about what a constellation really is, who is responsible for creating them, and see what images we find around the globe. Explore each season and find out the basic constellations you can find in the Pennsylvania night sky. There is…
Find out more »3rd in the Burg: The Art of the State Purchase Award Collection, 1969-2017
Join us Friday, October 20 5:30- 7:30 PM for the opening of The Art of the State Purchase Award Collection, 1969-2017. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the annual juried exhibition Art of the State, The State Museum of Pennsylvania is showcasing featured works that were purchased by the museum and added to its permanent collections over five decades. As part of each year’s show, a guest judge or State Museum official designates one or more works of art to…
Find out more »Nature Lab: Creatures of the Night
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab Thursday, October 26 at 11:30 AM to learn, through hands-on objects, about the nocturnal or night time world through two of Pennsylvania's inhabitants. Learn about the little brown bat and striped skunk. Discover how many insects a bat eats in a day. Or find out what smells! Included with general admission to the Museum.
Find out more »2017 Workshops in Archaeology
The Archaeology Section of The State Museum of Pennsylvania in partnership with the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council invites you to attend the annual Workshops in Archaeology on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Immigration, ethnicity, and multi-culturalism are significant issues in contemporary American society. Archaeologists can examine these issues through the recovery and analysis of artifacts. Pennsylvania’s archaeological record is as diverse as its population and reflects upon our founding under William Penn as a welcoming place for freedom from religious persecution. Identifying…
Find out more »StoryTime November 2017
Gather with us in Paleontology to learn about the work of paleontologists. Visit the mastodon skeleton and enjoy our story Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton. Help us assemble a mastodon puzzle and take home a puzzle of your own. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »Nature Lab: The Wild Turkey
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab Thursday, November 30 at 11:30 AM to take a close look at one of Pennsylvania's largest birds, the wild turkey. Hands-on objects will be available so you can get an up-close look at this remarkable bird. This program is included with general admission to The Museum.
Find out more »Museum Closure
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Find out more »Holiday Marketplace
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will hold the Holiday Marketplace on Nov. 16 and 17 in Village Square of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Presented for the benefit of area residents and employees working in or near the Capitol Complex, the Holiday Marketplace features booths showcasing Pennsylvania-themed gifts from a number of PHMC's historic sites and museums from throughout the state.
Find out more »Holiday Marketplace
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will hold the Holiday Marketplace on Nov. 16 and 17 in Village Square of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Presented for the benefit of area residents and employees working in or near the Capitol Complex, the Holiday Marketplace features booths showcasing Pennsylvania-themed gifts from a number of PHMC's historic sites and museums from throughout the state.
Find out more »Learn at Lunchtime: Holiday Marketplace
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will hold the Holiday Marketplace on Nov. 16 and 17 in Village Square of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Presented for the benefit of area residents and employees working in or near the Capitol Complex, the Holiday Marketplace features booths showcasing Pennsylvania-themed gifts from a number of PHMC's historic sites and museums from throughout the state.
Find out more »Museum Closure
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Find out more »Museum Closure
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Find out more »Nature Lab: Ooey Gooey Oily Process Art for ages 3 to 5
Join the Museum Educators in Nature Lab on Thursday, November 30 at 11:30 am, for Ooey Gooey Oily Process Art. Bring you 3 to 5 year old in their old clothes to study the viscosity, density, and polarity of various liquids in a fun art activity. We will also be experimenting with primary colors! This program in included with your general admission to the Museum. Program concept and image art by www.artfulparent.com
Find out more »StoryTime December 2017
Join us as we read and explore On Market Street by Anita Lobel. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »Nature Lab: Re-introduction of the Beaver and Elk
Join Museum Educator Cherie Trimble in Nature Lab Thursday, December 7 at 11:30 AM to discuss the re-introduction of the Beaver and Elk. Find out how conservation efforts have brought back these two important animals to Pennsylvania habitats. Hands-on will be available for you to explore. This program is included with general admission to the Museum.
Find out more »Nature Lab: Rocks In Our Daily Life
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab on Thursday, December 21 at 11:30 AM to see how humans have adapted and used rocks and minerals to enhance our environment. Explore through hands-on object examples of many of these rocks and see the surprising places we find them in our lives. This program is included with general admission to The Museum.
Find out more »Noon Years
Young children and their families are invited to welcome the new year during the annual “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration. An opportunity for kids to enjoy their own special “ringing in the New Year.” Make a craft, snack, and dance. Take in a seasonal planetarium show (admission fees apply). The Museum’s famous firefly and balloon drop will be in Memorial Hall at 12:00 Noon. This family-friendly event is included with general admission, Planetarium fees apply. Curiosity Connection will have free, limited timed-tickets available…
Find out more »StoryTime January 2018
Join us in the Transportation and Industry Gallery as we read and explore Mixed-Up Truck written by Stephen Savage. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »Nature Lab: Craters! for ages 3 to 5
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab on Thursday, January 11 at 11:30 am to explore Craters! What are they, where do we find then, and how are they made? These are just a few of the questions answered. Explore craters with a fun hands-on activity and art project. Nature Lab programs are included with Museum general admission. Image Credit: NASA - Pingualuit Crater, Canada
Find out more »Nature Lab: White-Tailed Deer
Join the Museum Educators on Thursday, November 9 at 11:30 AM in Nature Lab to discover Pennsylvania's State Mammal, the white-tailed deer. Through hands-on objects, learn about the animal and its importance to early Native Americans. This program is included with general admission to the Museum.
Find out more »Storytime February 2018
Join us in Ecology Hall as we read and explore Spectacular Spots written by Susan Stockdale. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »Nature Lab: Magnets
For our young visitors between the ages of 3 and 5 and their parents, join us Thursday, February 8 at 11:30 AM in Nature Lab to explore magnets. Learn how magnets work and explore several magnetic activities. Nature Lab programs are include with Museum general admission
Find out more »Nature Lab: The Great Blue Heron
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab on Thursday, February 22 at 11:30 AM, to learn about one of Pennsylvania's largest birds. Easy to spot in the quiet streams and marshes of our state, come study the Great Blue Heron with hands-on objects and photographs. This program is included with Museum General Admission.
Find out more »StoryTime March 2018
Join us at the Summer Kitchen in Village Square as we read and explore Pancakes for Breakfast written by Tomie DePaola. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Find out more »Nature Lab: The Eastern Coyote
Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab Thursday, March 8 to learn about the Eastern Coyote. Explore this wily, adaptable predator through images and hands-on objects. This program is included with Museum General Admission.
Find out more »Charter Day 2018
Join The Pennsylvania State Archives in celebrating the Commonwealth’s 337th birthday on the 19th Annual Charter Day from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM, Sunday, March 11 at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Admission to the Museum is free for Charter Day, Sunday, March 11th only and includes all special presentations. More information on special presentations coming soon. Space is limited for many of the special events and free timed tickets for Curiosity Connection will need to be picked up at the Ground Floor…
Find out more »HomeSchool Day 2018
Explore Pennsylvania! -Constellations Planetarium Show -Gallery Talks with Curators -Activities and Hands-on Stations $10 per person (children under age 1 are free) Members of PA Heritage Foundation and State Museum Affiliate Members - FREE Pre-registration preferred -- call (717)772-6997
Find out more »StoryTime April 2018
Join us in Curiosity Connection as we read and explore When Spring Comes written by Kevin Henkes. StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of our galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
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