Museum remains OPEN through August 2, 2026.
The 3rd floor, including Natural History and the Planetarium, are closed.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, the official museum of the Commonwealth, is a great place for exploration, fun, and discovery.
300 North Street,
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-4980
Upcoming Events
04feb11:30 amRepeating EventOlympics
Event Details
Celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics. Discover the men and women from Pennsylvania that have participated in the games. Explore the science behind these winter sports. Create your own
Event Details
Celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics. Discover the men and women from Pennsylvania that have participated in the games. Explore the science behind these winter sports. Create your own celebration symbol.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 4, 2026 11:30 am(GMT-05:00)
06feb10:30 amStorytimeHenri's Scissors
Event Details
Henri-Emile Matisse was an artist who was best known for his paintings. When a serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, he began exploring color and shapes through
Event Details
Henri-Emile Matisse was an artist who was best known for his paintings. When a serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, he began exploring color and shapes through paper cut-outs. Explore more about Matisse’s life as we read “Henri’s Scissors” and “paint with scissors” to create a collage with cut-out shapes.
Storytime programs are designed for ages 3 to 5. The program is included with general admission to the museum, but space is limited and served on a first come basis.
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Time
February 6, 2026 10:30 am(GMT-05:00)
07feb10:00 am12:00 pmRepeating EventLIGHT!
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about refraction and reflection. You can also make your own Newton Wheel or Rainbow Maker to take home.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 7, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
07feb1:00 pm3:00 pmRepeating EventLIGHT!
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about refraction and reflection. You can also make your own Newton Wheel or Rainbow Maker to take home.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 7, 2026 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
13feb11:30 amCuriosity Kids: Valentines
Event Details
Why are cupids, roses, and hearts part of valentines? Has red always been the favorite color? Discover the traditions behind Valentine’s Day and the role of Pennsylvania. Make
Event Details
Why are cupids, roses, and hearts part of valentines? Has red always been the favorite color? Discover the traditions behind Valentine’s Day and the role of Pennsylvania. Make your own traditional valentines.
Curiosity Kids programs are designed for visitors age kindergarten to grade 2. Programs are free, but space is limited. Please pick up a free ticket at the front desk when you arrive.
Time
February 13, 2026 11:30 am(GMT-05:00)
Event Details
Celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics. Discover the men and women from Pennsylvania that have participated in the games. Explore the science behind these winter sports. Create your own
Event Details
Celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics. Discover the men and women from Pennsylvania that have participated in the games. Explore the science behind these winter sports. Create your own celebration symbol.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 14, 2026 11:30 am – 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
20feb12:15 pm12:45 pmVirtual Program: The Ephrata Experiment
Event Details
In 1732, German pietists established a semi-monastic community that we know today as the Ephrata Cloister, a historic site operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. At
Event Details
In 1732, German pietists established a semi-monastic community that we know today as the Ephrata Cloister, a historic site operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. At its height, this community was renowned for its architecture, printing operation, musical compositions, and decorative art.
During the February Learn at Lunchtime program, Bradley Smith, Site Administrator at the Historic Ephrata Cloister, will discuss the ways in which the Ephrata Cloister was an unprecedented experiment, like no other community in North America.
Presentations begin at 12:15 PM and are followed by a question-and-answer session. Registration is required to attend the free, virtual program. Click here to register now.
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Time
February 20, 2026 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm(GMT-05:00)
Related Events
21feb11:00 amStorytimeHenri's Scissors
Event Details
Henri-Emile Matisse was an artist who was best known for his paintings. When a serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, he began exploring color and shapes through
Event Details
Henri-Emile Matisse was an artist who was best known for his paintings. When a serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, he began exploring color and shapes through paper cut-outs. Explore more about Matisse’s life as we read “Henri’s Scissors” and “paint with scissors” to create a collage with cut-out shapes.
Storytime programs are designed for ages 3 to 5. The program is included with general admission to the museum, but space is limited and served on a first come basis.
Time
February 21, 2026 11:00 am(GMT-05:00)
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about
Event Details
Come and learn about LIGHT! Explore light through a series of self-guided experiments. Each activity challenges participants to work with light to create shadows, rainbows, and learn about refraction and reflection. You can also make your own Newton Wheel or Rainbow Maker to take home.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 22, 2026 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
27feb11:30 amCuriosity Kids: Size and Scale of the Solar System
Event Details
Join Curiosity Kids at 11:30AM in the 1st Floor Activity Room to explore the size and scale of our Solar System. Ever wonder exactly how big the Sun,
Event Details
Join Curiosity Kids at 11:30AM in the 1st Floor Activity Room to explore the size and scale of our Solar System. Ever wonder exactly how big the Sun, Earth, and Moon are? How far away are they? Explore how big our Solar System is. The size and distances might surprise you. Create a scale map of the solar system.
Curiosity Kids programs are designed for visitors age kindergarten to grade 2. Programs are free, but space is limited. Please pick up a free ticket at the front desk when you arrive.
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Time
February 27, 2026 11:30 am(GMT-05:00)
28feb10:00 am12:00 pmRemembrances – Coins, Plates and Pins!
Event Details
Commemorative clothing, plates, buttons, and ribbons have been popular throughout history to celebrate events and promote public engagement. Learn about the commemorative items in the exhibit “Revolutionary Things”
Event Details
Commemorative clothing, plates, buttons, and ribbons have been popular throughout history to celebrate events and promote public engagement. Learn about the commemorative items in the exhibit “Revolutionary Things” and design a button to celebrate the United States for its 250th Anniversary.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 28, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
28feb1:00 pm3:00 pmRemembrances – Coins, Plates and Pins!
Event Details
Commemorative clothing, plates, buttons, and ribbons have been popular throughout history to celebrate events and promote public engagement. Learn about the commemorative items in the exhibit “Revolutionary Things”
Event Details
Commemorative clothing, plates, buttons, and ribbons have been popular throughout history to celebrate events and promote public engagement. Learn about the commemorative items in the exhibit “Revolutionary Things” and design a button to celebrate the United States for its 250th Anniversary.
Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.
Time
February 28, 2026 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Hours & Days
Monday, Tuesday all facilities are closed.
| Wednesday thru Saturday | 9 am – 4:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm – 4:30 pm |
Admission
| $6 | Adults |
| $5 | Seniors Ages 65 and above |
| $4 | Children ages 1 – 11 |